January 2012 - Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals

SWBTB (1/12) 286 (a)
availability of this on a 24/7 basis. The outcomes now being seen following the London
reconfiguration support this approach to deliver a step change in performance improvements
for stroke and TIA care.
3.4 Neurology
Patients admitted to hospital with acute Neurological conditions require many of the same
specialist clinical skills as acute stroke and TIA patients. In addition timely assessment by a
consultant Neurologist is a key part of the care of a patient with an acute stroke or TIA. As a
result our consultant Neurologists feel that Neurology inpatients should be cared for on the
same site and ideally in the same ward as acute stroke patients. Currently we only provide
inpatient care for patients admitted under Neurology at City Hospital but these patients are
cared for on the same acute ward as acute stroke patients and both groups of patients also
share the same rehabilitation ward. Neurology inpatient care therefore needs to be
considered as part of this reconfiguration project and if acute stroke and TIA services are
consolidated at Sandwell Hospital the inpatient Neurology service will also need to transfer.
This view has been endorsed by the National Clinical Advisory Team review (see later in the
report) although they emphasised the focus of an acute stroke unit should be primarily stroke
care but it is appropriate to care for patients with acute Neurological conditions in the same
area if they require the same nursing skills.
4. PLANNED OUTCOMES AND BENEFITS
The Project Board and Project Steering Group have identified a number of benefits that a
reconfiguration of acute stroke and TIA services should deliver. These will need to be
developed into a full benefits realisation framework but the identified benefits are described in
Appendix 1. In summary these are:
Mortality rates for those affected by stroke and treated at our Trust will be reduced
from current levels.
Levels of long term disability related to stroke for those affected by stroke and treated
at our Trust will be reduced, increasing independence and levels of functioning in the
stroke population.
We will provide Stroke services which comply with WMQRS standards
We will deliver consistent high quality stroke & TIA diagnostic services
We will have a recognised centre of excellence for Stroke
The experience of patients using our stroke and TIA services will be improved
We will have appropriately trained and competent staff available at all times for both
acute care and rehabilitation
All stroke patients in the area (Sandwell and West Birmingham) will have access to
the same level of care.
Specialist support services will be available in the community as part of the integrated
service and early supportive discharge arrangements.
We will deliver safe care with a reduction in long term complications.
Our services will offer value for money.
5. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The Acute Stroke and TIA Reconfiguration Project has been set up as a formal
reconfiguration project in line with Department of Health guidance (2010). As such the project
management structure has been established jointly with our PCTs, with Sandwell PCT
confirmed as the lead organisation for the planning phase of the project.
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