JM Atkinson

Abstract

Ischaemic stroke is a major cause of death and disability which costs the NHS £2.8 billion/year. Acute stroke care is developing rapidly in line with an increasing evidence base. Intravenous thrombolysis is now recommended by NICE. For this guidance to be effectively implemented stroke must be viewed as a medical emergency by both the public and professionals. Emergency medical services must work in partnership with stroke services to establish systems and protocols which offer high quality acute stroke care. This provides challenges, both in systems design and delivery of clinical care.