SHOCKING LACK OF CARE

Queensland is the only state in Australia where patients do not have access to immediate Telestroke care. Despite fierce advocacy in this area, stroke groups and professionals have been unable to convince the Queensland Government to commit to providing this vital service. Patients in every State but Queensland can access Telestroke services.

Telestroke connects patients with suspected stroke in regional hospitals to specialists who can remotely access brain imaging scans, diagnose the patient and recommend the best treatment, most critically, thrombolysis (‘clot busting’ medication). This service is particularly vital in regional areas where stroke rates are 17% higher, and where the tyranny of distance affects timely access to major hospitals. Telestroke helps close that gap, providing equitable treatment to patients who, because of their postcode, don’t have access to local specialist stroke care.

As Head of the stroke unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Having established the SA/NT

Telestroke service, I know that Telestroke works. It works to deliver timely treatment to patients, and it works in providing equitable treatment to regional and rural Australians.

Stroke Foundation’s hospital audit data backs this up.

We know that access to Telestroke both increases the rate of thrombolysis administered in regional hospitals (Telehealth 11 per cent vs 8 per cent without) and increases the speed at which this time-critical treatment is given. More patients with stroke receive thrombolysis within the national standard of 60 minutes posthospital arrival at telehealth supported services (25 per cent vs 9 per cent).

Median door-to-needle times for sites with Telestroke support are over 30 minutes shorter and median stroke onset to treatment time an hour shorter. We know this translates to less death and disability following stroke.

It is unjust that Queenslanders do not have access to this vital service. Without Telestroke support, eligible stroke patients in Queensland are less likely to receive clot-busting medication in a timely manner, reducing their likelihood of a good recovery and quality of life after stroke.

Regional and rural Queenslanders should not be at such a disadvantage.

The Queensland Government has a proud history of investing in data-informed stroke care.

This has led to substantial improvements in patient outcomes following stroke. The data for

Telestroke is clear, this service saves lives and reduces disability caused by stroke. If all Queenslanders are to benefit from the advances in stroke treatment then they should demand access to a Telestroke service. On behalf of the Telestroke leads in all States and Territories who have also cosigned this letter, I am asking the Queensland Government to commit to Telestroke. All other Australian citizens have access to Telestroke.

Queenslanders deserve better than second-class stroke care. PROFESSOR TIMOTHY

KLEINIG Stroke Society of Australasia President; Chair, National

Telestroke Forum