New stroke service launches at Aintree

Boost for stroke patients as new service launches at Aintree

A new service designed to improve outcomes for stroke patients has launched at Aintree University Hospital.

The Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU), which serves North Mersey, went live in September and is dedicated to caring for people in the critical 72-hour period after a stroke occurs.

It brings together the hyper-acute stroke care that was previously based at the Royal, Aintree and Southport hospitals. After the first 72-hours, up to half of patients will be able to leave hospital to continue their recovery at home, and patients who aren’t ready to go home will be given further care at either Aintree, Broadgreen or Southport hospitals, depending on which is closest to where they live. Locating the centre at Aintree, on the same site as The Walton Centre, means significantly more patients should be able to receive a specialist emergency procedure called thrombectomy, which is most effective when started as soon as possible after a stroke and must be done within six hours of arriving at hospital. The comprehensive stroke service proposals were developed by clinicians from LUHFT, Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals and The Walton Centre and were subject to formal public consultation and an extensive assurance and approval process.

Dr Claire Cullen, Stroke Consultant at Aintree University Hospital,

said: “The new stroke service at Aintree is fantastic news for our local communities, who will now benefit from improved hyper-acute stroke care and a service that has been designed so that patients experience the best outcomes possible following a stroke, when specialist intervention is key and every moment counts.”

Dr Paddy McDonald, Stroke Consultant at Southport & Ormskirk

Hospitals, said: “This service was developed by people who care for stroke patients and really understand what a difference timely diagnosis and treatment can make. Some journeys to hospital will take longer but this is in return for faster, specialised and joined up care once you arrive, with a proven better outcome for each patient’s future health. It’s an approach we know has already been shown to improve care for stroke patients in many other parts of the country.”

Recognising our outstanding staff at the Our Future Together Awards

Last year our shortlist received party packs to decorate their work spaces.

Our Future Together Awards are a celebration of the outstanding achievements of our staff across the whole Trust, including those who deliver exceptional service, live the Trust values, and work together to support patients and fellow colleagues.

Awards will be presented at an official ceremony at the ACC Liverpool (M&S Bank Arena) on Friday 9 December, from 6pm-1am. The night will be a particularly momentous occasion as we reflect together on all of the fantastic work we have achieved so far as part of Building Our Future Together and look forward to the future of LUHFT.

Shortlisted teams and individuals will be invited to attend along with those who wish to celebrate the occasion as part of their festive celebrations. Guests will be invited to attend a drinks reception and three course dinner, followed by the awards ceremony. The evening will be hosted by TV and radio presenter, Jordan North, best known for his drive time show on BBC Radio 1 and appearing as the runner-up on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! 2020. As well as values-based awards, colleagues will also be awarded for Trust Safety, Leading Light, Team of the Year, Employee of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and the Patient’s Champion award, voted for by patients, families, members of the public and foundation Trust members. Close to 300 nominations were submitted this year for consideration and the shortlist will be revealed at the end of this month.

The categories being shortlisted are:

• The Care Award (Team or Individual) • The Fairness Award (Team or Individual) • The Innovation Award (Team or Individual) • Trust Safety Award (Team or Individual) • Leading Light Award (Individual) • Employee of the Year (Individual) • Patient’s Champion (Team or Individual) - The

Patient’s Champion award is a public nomination category so that patients, their families and carers, members of the public and Foundation Trust members can put forward the names of teams and individuals who have made a significant impact during their experience at Liverpool University

Hospitals • Team of the Year (Team) • Volunteer of the Year (Individual) Find out more details here:

www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/our-future-togetherawards/