Stroke unit praised for its work

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Stroke unit leads the way

A new centre in Leicester which aims to treat stroke patients within 24 hours has been praised for its work.

The unit at Leicester General Hospital was visited by the Health Minister Lord Darzi as part of a national tour of best practice.

The one-stop clinic aims to treat patients who have had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke.

Consultant Dr David Eveson said that by treating patients early, it could stop their condition worsening.

'Good example'

He said: "We're extremely proud of the TIA service because it gives us for the first time an opportunity to treat seriously the symptoms of a transient ischaemic attack or mini-stroke so that we can prevent a full-blown stroke from occurring in the large majority of those patients."

The unit aims to treat patients within 24 hours of referral, seven days a week, and is part of a wider NHS drive aimed at prevention rather than rehabilitation.

Through services like its breakfast club, it helps patients regain some independence before returning home.

Lord Darzi said: "I saw a patient who came in fully paralysed on one side, within 30 minutes standing up, moving four limbs and walking out.

"That is world-class service, that is a good example of a hospital exploiting the latest technology in the benefit of patients."

About 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year.