Speed ambulances for stroke patients

IT was positive to see the new director of operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service, Lee Brooks, addressing some of the challenges the service faces in his interview of November 5. The Stroke Association in Wales welcomes him to his role and we look forward to working with him in future.

Mr Brooks joins the ambulance service at an interesting time, and one of the challenges he will need to address in his new role is the increasing waiting-times for ambercategory ambulances.

Stroke is part of the amber category, and for sensible reasons. But there is still a need for a rapid response in the event of a stroke, to get patients the treatment they need to ensure they have the best possible chance of surviving and rebuilding their life afterwards.

Last year the average response time to amber calls rose to over 24 minutes, with 42% of calls taking over half an hour.

Figures from Plaid Cymru found that between January 2018 and March 2019 more than 4,000 stroke patients waited over an hour for an ambulance in Wales.

We’re working with the NHS in Wales to introduce a new measure to look at emergency responses to stroke, but a new measure alone won’t be enough.

As we get closer to winter and the inevitable pressure on our emergency services, Mr Brooks and the Welsh Ambulance Service must ensure that all those who experience a stroke are able to get an ambulance to hospital as quickly as possible and not face any potential delays to their treatment.

Carol Bott Director Stroke Association in Wales