Stroke patients ‘not given CT scans quickly enough’
 Radiology departments and stroke teams rarely provide an effective, integrated emergency response to strokes, according to a report from the National Audit Office. A fast response for victims of a stroke, including rapid access to brain scanning, reduces the risk of death and disability.
The study claims that without a brain scan, treatment cannot commence safely. Research shows that scanning all stroke patients immediately is also the most cost effective strategy. Although most hospitals have the capacity to provide CT scans within 24 hours of admission, in 2004 most patients waited more than two days.
The priority afforded to stroke care by the health service can be increased, given its impact and cost to society. The study acknowledges that progress has been made from a low starting point. It recommends further improvements in preventing, treating and managing stroke patients which would result in reducing the number of deaths and improve recovery rates.
Approximately 110,000 strokes and a further 20,000 transient ischaemic attacks (‘mini strokes’) occur in England every year. There are at least 300,000 people in England living with moderate to severe disabilities as a result of strokes.
Click for an executive summary of the research.
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