New service for stroke patients

A rapid access service is now operating to see people who have suffered from a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) as quickly as possible.

A TIA is when a temporary lack of blood occurs in part of the brain, giving symptoms similar to a stroke. It is sometimes referred to as a "mini-stroke". However, if a TIA is untreated it can often lead to a stroke, which can cause permanent debilitating damage.

The new clinic sees patients who are classed as high risk within 24 hours and low risk patients within seven days.

Janet Phelps, the new TIA specialist nurse who will run the clinic, said: "This new clinic will allow us to assess, investigate, diagnose and treat patients for a TIA as quickly as possible.

"This is crucial for patients who have had a TIA because the sooner they are treated the less chance they will suffer from a stroke later down the line."

Symptoms of a TIA can include numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, confusion or difficulty in talking or understanding speech, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, and difficulty with walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and co-ordination.

A TIA does not result in a permanent damage to the brain but indicates that the person has a higher risk of developing a stroke in coming days.

The new service has been designed in accordance with the Department of Health's National Stroke Strategy and operates between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

Patients who need to be treated outside the clinic times are seen by the hospital's medical assessment unit (MAU).

Dr Muhammad Rahmani, consultant physician and the clinical stroke lead for East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "This new clinic is another excellent achievement within stroke care at the trust.

"The crucial factor in treating TIA patients is to identify the symptoms and treat patients as early as possible and this new service will significantly increase our chances of doing that."