HOW ‘SUPER CENTRES’ HAVE SAVED LIVES

THEY are some of the most highly equipped stroke centres in the world, performing thrombectomy procedures, employing specialists and giving patients access to cuttingedge scanning equipment and emergency theatres – all under one roof.

The advent of these hyperacute stroke units, or HASUs, in 2010 meant a ‘reorganising’ of existing services and closure of stroke units in local hospitals.

In London, where the scheme was pioneered, 30 hospitals offering acute stroke care were centralised into eight HASUs.

It meant longer travel time by ambulance for patients, and also for their families when visiting.

But several studies have now shown these HASUs have resulted in 95 additional lives being saved every year.

Similar streamlining has happened in Manchester, and the Stroke Association is backing calls for more HASUs across the UK. The game-changer has been getting patients fast access to tests and specialist treatment that would not have been available in smaller hospitals.