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29 October 2022 is World Stroke Day

29/10/2022
This article is more than one year old.

One in four of us will at some time experience a stroke - when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, resulting in temporary or permanent damage.

We can recover from a stroke, but if we do not recover, a stroke may lead to disability or even death. World Stroke Day aims to raise awareness of stroke, and reinforce the idea that strokes are not only preventable, but also that treatments exist to limit the damage they can cause.

Thrombectomy, also known as mechanical clot retrieval, is the surgical removal of a blood clot in an artery. At OUH we are now operating an extended hours thrombectomy service seven days a week, with over 100 patients already benefitting since April 2022, the start of this financial year.

In the same period, almost 600 patients have benefitted from our clinics for 'mini strokes', or transient ischaemic attacks (TIA).

Our Early Supported Discharge Team provides a service across Oxfordshire six days a week, and so far this year have supported the rehabilitation of over 270 patients in their homes following a stroke – and we have recently extended our team of therapists to include Nursing and Psychology input too.

Along with many of our colleagues in Oxford University Hospitals, we are also actively engaged in research, and have close links with the Nuffield Department of Medicine and Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences Wolfson Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia, on the John Radcliffe Hospital site

Stroke Service Manager Lynne Maddocks said:

"Despite all the pressures of recent months, the Stroke Team has worked with colleagues across the Trust to extend the life-changing mechanical thrombectomy service patients across the region.

"For the past two years, our Stroke Service has also scored in the top band of results following the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme national audit. This is a major achievement. I'd like to thank the whole multidisciplinary team, including our ward staff, the Early Supported Discharge team and all our colleagues from other Divisions."