New, world-class specialist centres have been given the go-ahead as part of a plan to significantly improve care for stroke and major trauma patients in London.
The first of the eight hyper-acute stroke centres and four major trauma centres will open next year, with all of the new facilities expected to open by summer 2011.
The centres will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will be staffed by consultant-led specialist teams with access to the best facilities.
The specialist centres will be linked to local units delivering high quality general and rehabilitation care. The new services are expected to save around 500 lives a year and reduce long-term disability for thousands.
A joint committee of London primary care trusts approved the plans following a review of the clinical evidence and a public consultation led by Healthcare for London.
The four major trauma centres will treat the most seriously injured patients, such as those with multiple injuries including head injury, life-threatening wounds and multiple fractures. Teams of specialists including trauma surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons will be on hand to care for these patients.
The new major trauma centres will be located at: The Royal London Hospital (Whitechapel), St George’s Hospital (Tooting), King’s College Hospital (Denmark Hill) and St Mary’s Hospital (Paddington). The Royal London, which is already close to operating as a major trauma centre, will take a leading role in establishing London’s major trauma system.
Patients with less serious injuries will continue to be treated by their local A&E trauma centres. Each local trauma service will be linked to a specialist centre as part of a network designed to share expertise and resources.
The eight hyper-acute stroke centres will provide specialist care to patients following a stroke, after which they will be transferred to one of 24 local stroke units to continue their recovery.
The new hyper-acute stroke centres will be located at: Northwick Park Hospital (Harrow), Charing Cross Hospital (Hammersmith), University College Hospital (Euston), St George’s Hospital (Tooting), King’s College Hospital (Denmark Hill), The Royal London Hospital (Whitechapel), The Princess Royal University Hospital (Orpington) and Queen’s Hospital (Romford).
Within 24 local hospitals there will also be TIA services for people who have had a transient ischaemic attack (or “mini-stroke”). People attending a TIA service will be rapidly assessed and treated, to reduce their chance of having a full stroke in future.
Clinical directors for stroke and trauma will oversee implementation of the plans.
Richard Sumray, Chairman of the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts, said: “These new centres will benefit all Londoners. They will radically improve the care of stroke and major trauma patients by guaranteeing access to the best clinical expertise and technology, 24 hours a day. No hospitals in London currently provide care for patients to the very high standards that these centres will offer.
“The decisions and the recommendations we have made today stem from the considerable and very thoughtful input we have had from the public, patient groups and the NHS. I want to thank all those who responded to the consultation and to emphasise how thoroughly we have considered their views.
“Wherever they are in London, people who have suffered a stroke or major trauma will be able to get the care that could save their life. These new centres will save hundreds of lives and prevent long-term disability for thousands of people.”
Roger Boyle, National Director for Heart Disease and Stroke, said: “Rapid specialist care concentrated in centres of excellence can save lives and reduce disability for stroke which requires a wide range of highly skilled professionals. This means concentrating services in centres of excellence rather than spreading staff, skills and equipment over too many sites. Healthcare for London is leading the way in bringing stroke care for its population into the 21st century.
“At the moment, treatment throughout London varies radically, there are outstanding examples of good practice, but we want to see them become the norm. The services that will be provided are in line with our national stroke strategy and will result in all people in London having rapid access to high quality stroke services.”
Matt Thompson, Clinical Lead for Trauma Services in London, said: “Major trauma patients are some of the most seriously injured patients that any hospital will ever see. It is vitally important that they have access to the right expertise and services if their lives are to be saved and disabilities reduced.
“The new trauma system – to be made up of major trauma centres linked to local trauma centres – will rival the best in the world. It is a fantastic opportunity for London to improve the care of these seriously injured patients.”
Dr Nick Losseff, interim Clinical Director for Stroke Services in London, said: “This new model of care constitutes a quantum leap forward and will deliver world class treatments for Londoners who have had a stroke. Never before have we had the opportunity to make so much positive change in one single, and much needed, health reform.
“Stroke patients will get quicker assessment and diagnostic tests, and better ongoing monitoring and rehabilitation under these plans. Patients and their families can be assured that these plans will save lives and prevent disability.”
Views submitted as part of the consultation have formed the basis for a series of recommendations about next steps. For example, the joint committee of primary care trusts has agreed that commissioners should review the quality, capacity and demand for services at each hyper-acute stroke centre and stroke unit. It has also agreed that primary care trusts and hospital trusts need to work with haemoglobinopathy centres to ensure the appropriate provision of services for people with sickle cell disease.
The decision to create the new centres follows a review of London health services by Lord Ara Darzi (A Framework for Action, 2007). The review recommended there should be greater centralisation of stroke and major trauma services based on networks that link local services with specialist centres.
Comments