Publish date: 23 November 2021
The NHS in Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and West Lancashire has launched a 12-week public consultation about the proposal to establish a Comprehensive Stroke Centre at Aintree University Hospital.
The proposal aims to improve hyper-acute stroke services, which is the hospital care provided in the 72-hour period immediately after someone has a stroke.
Currently, there are hyper-acute stroke services at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Aintree University Hospital, and Southport Hospital. But with local expertise and resources spread across three sites, it can be difficult to ensure that patients get equitable access to the specialist staff, tests, equipment and procedures they need - especially in the critical three days following a stroke.
Local clinicians have developed this proposal for a single, Comprehensive Stroke Centre at Aintree University Hospital. This would bring together local hyper-acute services on the same site as The Walton Centre, which provides a specialist stroke treatment called thrombectomy.
If the changes went ahead, it would mean that in the future all suspected stroke patients would be taken to Aintree Hospital for the first 72-hours of stroke care – even those who may have previously been treated at the Royal Liverpool Hospital or Southport Hospital.
Afterwards, up to half of patients would leave hospital to continue their recovery in their own homes with an early supported discharge team. Those not ready for discharge, would transfer one of three acute stroke rehabilitation units at either Aintree, Broadgreen, or Southport hospitals to continue their recovery.
The public can find out more about the proposals for improving hyper-acute stroke services and share their views between 22 November 2021 and 14 February 2022.
Further information and an online questionnaire are available at: www.liverpoolccg.nhs.uk/stroke
Those who would prefer to talk through their feedback, can also call (0151) 247 6406 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm). People can also use this number to request a paper version of the questionnaire, or information in a different language or format. They can also do this by texting: 07920 206 386 or emailing: csc
There will also be some public events taking place online which will provide an opportunity to hear about the changes in more detail from clinicians, and chance to give feedback as part of a small focus group.
These sessions will be taking place on:
- Tuesday 7 December, 1pm to 3pm
- Thursday 9 December, 6pm to 8pm
People can sign up to take part in one of these sessions by visiting their website.
The public consultation is being managed by NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), on behalf of five local CCGs – Knowsley, Liverpool, Southport & Formby, South Sefton, and West Lancashire.
The proposals have been developed by clinicians from the three local NHS Trusts currently involved with providing stroke care for these areas - Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust and The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust.
Find out more information about this public consultation online.