With only four weeks to go until the end of the public consultation on the future of urgent stroke services in Kent and Medway, people are being urged to have their say.
The NHS is asking for people’s views on proposals to establish new 24/7 hyper acute stroke units which, where they have been introduced elsewhere, have been shown to save lives and reduce disability. The consultation is also asking for views on potential locations for the units. The proposals recommend creating three hyper acute stroke units in Kent and Medway, and give five different options for where these three new units could be located. If the proposals go ahead, urgent stroke services would not be provided in other hospitals in Kent and Medway.
People are asked to read the consultation document and complete the questionnaire which can be returned online or by post. A list of all events for the consultation across Kent, Medway, Bexley and the High Weald area of East Sussex is also available.
Public Listening Events
There are a number of opportunities to find out more at the following public listening events. You can book your place online, by calling 0300 790 6796 or by emailing km.stroke@nhs.net
| Sat 24 March | 10:00 to 12.30 | Broadstairs | St Peters Church Hall |
| Weds 28 March | 18:30 to 20:30 | Canterbury | Westgate Hall |
| Weds 4 April | 10:00 to 12:00 | Ashford | Singleton Environment Centre |
| Thurs 5 April | 14:00 to 16:00 | Folkestone | Three Hills Sports Park |
| Thurs 5 April | 18:30 to 20:30 | Deal | Deal Town Hall |
| Fri 6 April | 13:30 to 15:30 | Romney Marsh | St Mary's Bay Village Hall, St Mary's Bay |
| 10 April | 19:00 to 21:00 | Ramsgate | Ramsgate FC Southwood Stadium |
Dr David Hargroves, Clinical Lead for Stroke Medicine at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “There are currently no hyper acute stroke units in Kent and Medway. At the moment, some people do not get the right treatment fast enough, particularly overnight and at weekends. Centralising urgent stroke care in three excellent hyper acute stroke units would change all that.
“I would like to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation so their views are heard.”
ENDS
