Stroke Service

Stroke is a medical emergency. Anyone suffering a new suspected stroke should be seen by a stroke specialist. You should be admitted to the Acute Stroke Unit, usually via the Emergency Department.

North Bristol NHS Trust is a specialist centre for acute stroke, and we can offer thrombolysis and other emergency care to people from across the region.  

After the emergency phase, your local hospital will usually continue your care in your local stroke unit.  

For local people, we offer specialist inpatient aftercare. You will have specialist assessments on the acute stroke unit. If you make a quick recovery you may be able to be discharged from the acute stroke unit. If you require a longer period in hospital, you will transfer to a ward for further assessment, rehabilitation and/or planning of your longer term care needs.  

Our consultants responsible for stroke are Dr Justin Pearson, Dr Philip Clatworthy, Dr Kanch Sharma and Dr Gauhar Malik. We have a dedicated stroke trained team of Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dietitians, Pharmacists, Psychologist and Stroke Practitioners.  We also have close links with our social worker colleagues in Bristol and South Gloucestershire social services.   

Our ethos is to provide specialist, personalised stroke care in a timely and efficient manner. We work as a team with you and your family to plan the best care for your needs from initial treatment through to discharge from hospital.