Healthcare for London have now begun consulting on their proposed improvements for stroke care in London. The closing date is May, 8, 2009. I think that it is important that as many people with experience of strokes as possible respond because many of us will know that stroke care in our area leaves a lot to be desired.
It was recently explained to me that my own experience was so poor because I was admitted to the wrong ward as I was an emergency. I have therefore resolved to have my next stroke on a planned basis to avoid a recurrence of this!
Treatment of a stroke in the early stages requires considerable expertise and is very time critical. Three hours after the onset all hope of effective intervention ends. The sooner the intervention occurs the better the prognosis. It is therefore imperative that suspected strokes result in an immediate 999 call. There is not time to wait for GP appointments or visits or to waste time calling NHS Direct.
You can obtain the consultation document in a variety of languages and formats by calling 0808 238 5481, which is a freephone number.You could also email Healthcare for London at hfl@ipsos.com
Their website is at http://www.healthcare forlondon.nhs.uk
There you can download the entire consultation document (56 pages) or respond to the consultation by answering questions on line.
JOHN C MURPHY Camrose Avenue, Feltham.
