Consultation shows support
Ealing residents who responded to a consultation on changes in the way NHS stroke and trauma services are run, have given their support.
Healthcare for London, which represents the capital's 31 primary care trusts, consulted Londoners on plans to improve acute stroke and trauma services across London.
Nearly 580 Ealing residents and 11,000 people overall replied to the 14-week consultation, which ran from 30 January to 8 May 2009.
The consultation sets out plans for the creation of a limited number of world-class specialist centres which would provide immediate care for stroke and major trauma patients. These would be linked to local centres.
It's part of Health Minister Lord Darzi's ten year vision for healthcare in London, as set out in the document A Framework for Action (2007).
Around 11,500 Londoners suffer a stroke each year, of whom 2,000 die. It is the second biggest killer in London and the most common cause of disability.
There are around 1,600 major trauma incidents in London a year. Major trauma involves complex injuries, often as the result of a serious road traffic accident or fire-arms incident, and may involve spinal or head injuries.
The results of the 8,600 consultation questionnaires submitted by individuals and organisations were analysed by Ipsos MORI and show:
* On stroke care: 63% of Ealing respondents agree with the proposal that specialist stroke care should be provided in hyper-acute stroke units, local stroke units and TIA units
* 54% agree that eight hyper-acute stroke units would provide the best urgent care for stroke patients in London, with 62% supporting Healthcare for London's preferred location of units
* 36% agree the proposed configuration of over 20 local stroke units
* 37% agree with the proposed configuration of TIA units
* On trauma care: 45% support the creation of four major trauma networks, with major trauma centres at The Royal London Hospital, St George's Hospital, King's College Hospital and St Mary's Hospital.
David Sissling, Programme Director, Healthcare for London said: "It is clearly not right that some people in London who have a stroke or experience major injuries die prematurely or become disabled because they don't have access to the best care. That is why we have proposed the changes covered by this consultation.
"The consultation has been real and successful. We have asked Londoners their views and received a wealth of responses. We will take into account their views and their suggestions about how things might be improved.
"Londoners have said that they broadly support our plans for eight specialist stroke units and four major trauma centres. The primary care trusts that make up Healthcare for London will now take into account all of the views and evidence before them and decide on the next steps."
Representatives from the 31 primary care trusts in London and NHS South West Essex are due to meet on 20 July 2009 to make a decision on the establishment of new stroke and trauma services and their location.
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July 2, 2009
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