Northwick Park Hospital looks set to become a specialist stroke centre as London looks to beat the capital's second biggest killer.
The hospital, which is based in Watford Road, Harrow, could be one of eight centres across London to develop hyper-acute stroke units - where patients would go for specialised treatment.
It is hoped the project, all part of the Healthcare for London programme, will ensure no one will be more than a 30 minute ambulance journey away from a centre and would be screened and given appropriate medication within another half an hour of arrival.
The proposals could be given the go-ahead after a three month consultation and Fiona Wise, chief executive of The North West London NHS Hospital Trust - which manages the hospital - said: "We believe that Northwick Park is the right location for these services as locally we have one of the highest incidences of stroke with a growing elderly population and a high proportion of people from black and minority ethnic communities.
"We already care for one of the largest numbers stroke patients in the capital.
"There is clear evidence that access to specialist stroke services helps patients to recover and lead more of an independent life by reducing their lack of disability or death.
"If these proposals receive support following consultation then this is good news for local people who will have access to specialist services on their doorstep."
It is estimated that the scheme will save more than 500 lives in London each year.
