Southmead Hospital’s thrombectomy service has treated 70% more people in the year since it was expanded to 24 hours a day.
Thrombectomy involves the removal of clots to restore blood flow to the brain and is a first line treatment for people who suffer an ischaemic stroke.
The North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) service was expanded in December 2022 to provide the treatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week to patients in the Severn area – from Gloucestershire down to Somerset and across to Bath and Swindon.
Prior to the expansion approximately 200 thrombectomy procedures were performed a year at Southmead. In the 12 months from December 2022 to 2023 there were 340 thrombectomies.
Thrombectomy at Southmead Hospital is carried out by a multi-disciplinary team made up of interventional neuroradiologists, supported by stroke specialist consultants, advanced nurse practitioners, anaesthetists and a large team of other professionals.
Patients from the south and western regions of Wales can also access the thrombectomy service seven days a week from 8am to midnight.
NBT’s Clinical Lead for Stroke, Dr Rose Bosnell, said: “We are proud that expanding our thrombectomy service to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week has enabled us to help so many more people who have suffered a stroke.
“Thrombectomy leads to a greater chance of independence after stroke and treating 140 more people means we are giving them a better chance of improved outcomes. This could not have been achieved without the collaborative efforts of the medical, nursing and support staff working together to deliver this service.”
Southmead Hospital is now the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit for Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG), and the thrombectomy service is a significant part of the emergency care provided to people who have a stroke in the area.
The Acute Stroke Unit for BNSSG is also at Southmead Hospital, providing specialist stroke care to patients in the initial phase of their treatment. The reconfigured stroke pathway, which has been in place since May 2023, sees patients discharged either to the Stroke Sub-acute Rehabilitation Units at South Bristol Community Hospital or Weston General or the Integrated Community Stroke Service, where people benefit from support in their own homes.