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BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
Date set for 24-hour stroke treatment rollout at Royal Preston
A potentially life-saving stroke treatment will be available around the clock in Lancashire by early next year, according to the region's health board. The Royal Preston Hospital already offers the procedure, known as a thrombectomy, to suitable patients in Lancashire and South Cumbira – but only between 08:00 and 18:00 BST. The hospital was set to start offering the procedure at all hours of the day by September 2024, but the plan had to be pushed back because of difficulties recruiting staff. A meeting of the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) heard that the treatment would be offered 24 hours a day from 1 February 2026 at the latest. A thrombectomy is only utilised to treat strokes caused by a blood clot in a large artery in the brain. The procedure involves surgically removing the clot, but it has to be done soon after a stroke occurs to be Christopher Long recently warned that limited access to the procedure posed a life-threatening risk to patients in Lancashire and South Cumbria, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). He issued the warning at an inquest earlier this year into the death of Michelle Mason, 45, who died at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary in June 2024 after suffering a treatment was "considered" in her case, but would not have been available at the time she needed it, the coroner heard. The ICB's acting medical director, Dr Andy Knox, told the meeting the hospital had now recruited enough interventional radiologists "to be able to fulfil the rota requirements" of 24-hour he said more time was needed to bring in a new consultant. Dr Knox said the ICB was pushing for the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Royal Preston Hospital, to roll out the 24-hour programme by October. However, he acknowledged it would place the hospital under additional pressure, adding: "We know that things will be in place by 1st February."He said co-operation had improved with other trusts within north-west England meaning patients from Lancashire and South Cumbria could be transferred elsewhere for a thrombectomy when required in the meantime. The LDRS has approached the trust for comment. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Barrow hospital could stop treating sickest patients permanently
Sick and injured people requiring the highest level of intensive care may have to be transported more than an hour's drive away to a neighbouring county under a plan to permanently reduce a hospital and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) intends to make permanent the temporary suspension of the level 3 unit at Furness General Hospital (FGH), in Barrow-in-Furness, due to a lack of who require lower levels of critical care will continue to be treated at FGH, but the sickest patients would have to attend Royal Lancaster director Prof Andy Knox said the ICB would engage with the community and staff before confirming the cuts. FGH suspended the provision of the highest intensive care services last September due to the impact on patient safety caused by issues with recruiting enough qualified and experienced ICB said only three of the required eight permanent consultants were in Knox said: "Medical staffing within the unit at FGH has been a concern for several years, with consultant cover not meeting national guidance despite significant efforts from the trust." Michelle Scrogham, Labour MP for Barrow and Furness, said she believed it was the wrong decision."For as long as it's been announced I've been opposed to it, I don't think they've taken into account that it's one road in and one road out [of Barrow]."She said the route was often closed due to accidents, floods or roadworks and it was only "a matter of time before somebody pays the price for that"."We've got a growing population in Barrow and we need to offer those services." Since the suspension, over a six-month period 30 people have been transferred to chief medical officer Dr Caroline Brock said University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust was "absolutely committed" to FGH and its future as a district general hospital."We understand the impact this will have on our colleagues and local community and that there may be concerns about what this means for FGH," she added."If the decision is made to make the changes permanent, we will work with our teams to develop a safe and effective treat and transfer model - using evidence-based learning from other trusts across the country who run similar services in geographically isolated areas like Barrow."We will continue to work with the ICB and support colleagues, patients and families throughout." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
