Innovative telestroke service

Queensland Health introduces lifesaving virtual stroke diagnosis with $5.8m investment

l FAR NORTH

MILLIONS of regional and remote Queenslanders will have better access to lifesaving stroke diagnosis and treatment through a new $5.8 million virtual telestroke service.

The telestroke service, which was launched in Cairns on Monday, has been designed to ensure patients in rural and regional hospitals have the same access to stroke specialists as Queenslanders in metropolitan areas.

It will allow stroke specialists to assess brain scans and view patients remotely via video to effectively diagnose and decide on a treatment plan as quickly as possible.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said “we know regional and rural communities are significantly impacted by stroke, with Queenslanders living in these areas 17 per cent more likely to experience a stroke than those living in metropolitan areas.

“This is a game-changer in the ability of Queensland Health to rapidly treat stroke patients, which can make all the difference in improving a patient’s quality of life and reducing the risk of long-term disability,” she said.

Stroke Foundation chief executive officer Dr Lisa Murphy said it was critical that Australians, regardless of their postcode, had access to equitable and immediate stroke treatment and that’s exactly what Queensland Telestroke service will deliver.

“Access to Telestroke both increases the rate of thrombolysis administered in regional hospitals and increases the speed at which this time-critical treatment is given. This translates to less death and disability following stroke,” she said.

Member for Hill Shane Knuth said it was “a win-win, not only for all Queenslanders, but for rural and regional residents who are disadvantaged in the distances they have to travel for basic medical services”.

“I would like to thank the Minister for Health, Moyamoya Foundation and all those that lobbied in getting this over the line,” he said.

Mr Knuth has raised this issue in Parliament a number of times and has questioned the previous and present ministers about Queensland’s need for a telestroke service.

Moyamoya Australia founder Nicola Baker said every day, Queenslanders were having strokes, and particularly in regional and remote areas, leaving the community with significant disabilities and even death. “Having access to this vital service is going to be a game changer for those who suffer from stroke in Queensland,” she said.