Northampton General Hospital became the fourth acute stroke unit in the East Midlands to implement prehospital video triage (PHVT) calling in February. The system allows East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) clinicians to place a video call to their local acute stroke team to discuss a suspected stroke patient and agree a treatment pathway. This exciting treatment option greatly improves the ability to recognise stroke patients before they reach hospital and can significantly improve treatment times and ultimate recovery chances.
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The East Midlands ISDN was pleased to be able to attend the national stroke conference UKSF in Aberdeen, hosted by the Stroke Association and BIASP. This was a tremendous opportunity to hear talks from stroke experts from across the world, learn about new research into the prevention and treatment of acute stroke, as well as improvements in the rehabilitation of stroke survivors.
As of 29th September 2025, Nottingham University Hospital is now able to accept referrals for and perform mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute stroke patients round the clock. This means no matter what time of day or night, if a patient is suitable for this incredibly effective intervention,
On 5th November, the East Midlands ISDN hosted its first face-to-face regional networking event at a local conference centre, Attended by stroke doctors, nurses and therapy leads from across the region, the event was very well received and gave the opportunity for updates on stroke research, thrombolysis QI projects, opportunities for the use of rtelerehabilitation and the ISDN's plans to start the East Midlands Stroke Academy, providing the opportunity to deliver stroke training and updates to clinicians involved in stroke care across the pathway.
The East Midlands ISDN was pleased to welcome over 100 visitors to our 2nd stroke rehabilitation conference in April, supported by Innerva, Social-ability, Reneural, Gripable, Rosemont Pharmaceuticals, Stroke Association and Different Strokes.
East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) have been running a pilot in Leicestershire for the past 12 months, whereby ambulance clinicians have been able to hold a video triage call with stroke consultants or Stroke Nurse specialists at Leicester Royal Infirmary stroke unit from the patient’s home. This has seen significant benefits to 25% of patients who were able to be safely left at home with alternative arrangements following this assessment.
A CLEAR transformation project has been commissioned to review and enhance stroke care in Lincolnshire – focusing specifically on optimising pathways across hospital and community services to ensure patients receive the right care in the right setting.
NHS England’s Act FAST stroke campaign launches on 4 November.
The Chesterfield Early Supported Discharge (ESD) Team have been able to join the East Midlands ISDN BP@Home project from March 2024.
New patients being referred to their service will now have their blood pressure checked during their inital assessment. If these initial readings are higher than the nationally recommended levels, the team may loan a blood pressure monitor to the patient with advice on how to use it, which will allow the patient to monitor their blood pressure at home during the following week (away from the stress and pressures of the clinical environment - we know that White Coat syndrome is a real thing for some people!)
The ISDN was very happy to attend the first, newly formed Stroke Board in Kettering on 30th October. This first meeting held at the ICB offices was well attended with representation from teams across the pathway from pre-hospital care through to “Thrival after stroke”.
The board plans to meet on a quarterly basis to continue improving stroke services across Northamptonshire.