Listening events to hear views on future stroke services in Kent and Medway 

Updated 4 April 2018

The NHS is asking for people’s views on proposals to establish new 24/7 hyper acute stroke units in Kent and Medway. The ten-week public consultation started on Friday 2 February and runs until Friday 20 April. 

Kent and Medway does not currently have any of these specialist units. In other parts of the country organising stroke treatment and care in this way is already reducing disability and saving lives. The NHS wants to change this by creating three specialist hyper acute stroke units in Kent and Medway, so people get expert care from a team of stroke specialists and therapists round the clock with consultants on the wards seven days a week.

“This is incredibly good news because it means we will be able to ensure everyone treated in Kent and Medway gets the best care, no matter what  time of day, day of the week or where they are when the stroke happens,” said Dr David Hargroves, clinical lead for the stroke review and for Stroke Consultant at East Kent Hospitals.

“Currently, although stroke staff do their very best, the way services are organised means that 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 that. Our dedicated staff would then be able to ensure the 3,000 people treated in Kent and Medway for a stroke every year get care which is right up there with the best in the country.”

Patricia Davies, head of the stroke services review, said, “Our message to local people and to our staff, is make sure you have your say. You’ve got until the 20 April to tell us what you think. There are lots of ways to respond: you can fill out the consultation questionnaire online or in hard copy, come to a listening event, drop us an email, tweet us, post on Facebook, or give us a ring. You don’t need to answer every question in the questionnaire; all comments, however brief or detailed, are welcomed. Please take this opportunity to share your views on the future of urgent stroke care in Kent and Medway.”

Hard copies of the consultation document and questionnaire are available at our listening events, from local GP practices, pharmacies, hospitals, libraries and by emailing or calling us - details below.

How to respond to the consultation

Online: www.kentandmedway.nhs.uk/stroke

Listening events: www.kentandmedway.nhs.uk/stroke-consultation-listening-events

Post: FREEPOST Kent and Medway NHS

Email:  km.stroke@nhs.net 

Phone: 0300 7906796

Twitter: @KMhealthandcare

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KentMedwayHealthandCare/

Find out more here 

Public Events

 Come along to one of our Listening Events to find out more. Register to attend here 

Find out more

 To get involved you can read the consultation document, come to a public event, and complete an online or postal questionnaire.

All consultation materials are available at www.kentandmedway.nhs.uk/stroke/