Stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) service

We have an 18-bedded stroke unit at Epsom Hospital and a 24-bedded unit at St Helier Hospital, providing acute and rehabilitation stroke care.

Both units have a team of stroke physicians, a team of specialist nurses, dietitian and full therapy team (physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy). We also have access to clinical neuropsychology at both sites.

Patient care

Both stroke units benefit from daily consultant input, Monday to Friday, and weekly multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss each patient's progress and plan of care.

You will be provided with information regarding your type of stroke, risk factors, health and lifestyle advice, and details of any therapy or support that will be provided on discharge from hospital. Families are kept fully involved and informed (with patient consent).

Epsom Hospital

The stroke unit at Epsom Hospital delivers a thrombolysis service (clot busting treatment) for acute stroke 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The out of hour’s service is supported by a Surrey-wide telemedicine Rota.

The acute stroke unit at Epsom Hospital admits all acute strokes and offers patients stroke thrombolysis if indicated.

The transient ischaemic attack (TIA) clinic at Epsom Hospital is open seven days a week, and is hosted in the acute stroke unit.

St Helier Hospital

The stroke unit at St Helier Hospital is part of the London Strategic Clinical Network.

London has chosen to centralise hyperacute stroke services with all suspected stroke patients being taken directly to one of eight hyperacute units (HASU), usually St George's Hospital for our patients. Thrombolysis is available 24 hours a day there.

Patients are repatriated to St Helier within 72 hours of their admission to the HASU for ongoing acute care and rehabilitation.

The transient ischaemic attack (TIA) clinic at St Helier Hospital is open five days a week, and is hosted in the acute stroke unit. During the weekend, patients are admitted to enable the relevant investigations to take place.

Education and training

We have a well-established in-house education programme for all staff working with stroke patients. Study days covering specific topics on the care of stroke patients are held jointly with Epsom and St Helier hospitals twice a year.