Stroke unit set to close as judicial review rejected

Campaigners to fight on after court ruling

A review into the decision to overhaul stroke services in Kent has been rejected.

Two judicial reviews were heard at the High Court in December, brought by separate groups Save Out NHS in Kent (Sonik), and Thanet Stroke Campaign. Both were fighting the decision to close acute stroke services at Margate’s QEQM. Emergency stroke treatment at the town’s hospital will end when a new hyper-acute stroke unit (Hasu) opens at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford in the autumn of 2022.

It is one of three being opened in Kent and Medway: the others being in Darent Valley Hospital and Maidstone Hospital. Herne Bay MP Sir Roger Gale backed the decision.

“The finding of the court will save lives and we must now move to implement the result of that decision as swiftly as possible,” he said.

“We have a duty to secure the best services for the largest number of patients.” Rachel Jones, senior responsible officer for the review, said: “We are extremely pleased that the judge’s ruling means we can improve stroke care and outcomes for local people. “Our review of urgent stroke services, which started back in late 2014, has always been about providing the highest quality stroke care for patients and certainty for our hard-working staff. Evidence from other parts of the country, and from around the world, shows that this new way of providing stroke care reduces death and disability from stroke.

“Our focus now will be on implementing the new stroke units as soon as possible so we can deliver much-needed improvements.”

But Sonik campaigners turned out to protest at the QEQM on Saturday, saying that their fight is continuing.

Carly Jeffrey, from Sonik, said: “This verdict is a setback but it will not stop us from fighting on. We are considering an appeal. “We are devastated by the result and what it means for our residents and our hospital.” But health bosses say there is overwhelming evidence to show the current under-performance of stroke services means more people are dying than would be expected, and people are being left with avoidable disability. They argue the evidence shows the timescales for reaching and receiving treatment at the new units are both safe and achievable, and that the option approved for Hasus is the one that will best deliver the necessary improvements.