Update on temporary changes to some services
In April 2017 some temporary changes were announced to some services at Kent and Canterbury Hospital (K&C). Following that announcement some changes to stroke services from this week.
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) want to reassure all patients, relatives and their loved ones that their care is EKHUFT’s first priority. Patients who are in hospital already having suffered a stroke will be treated and discharged as normal. But from Tuesday 11 April, all new patients suspected of having a stroke, who would usually be taken to Canterbury, will be taken directly by ambulance to Margate or Ashford instead, whichever is closer, for initial assessment. If stroke is confirmed, patients are treated at this hospital while they are very unwell.
Because patients’ safety and recovery is utmost priority, EKHUFT need stroke patients to be seen in the place they will get the most appropriate treatment which means, for the moment, being treated at Ashford and Margate for the first few days of their care.
Once local patients have recovered from the acute phase of their stroke at Ashford or Margate, they will be able to move to the K&C to continue their recovery and rehabilitation journey, closer to home.
Most stroke services will remain unchanged at the K&C, including outpatient appointments and rehabilitation services. The hospital’s stroke ward will remain open and continue to care for patients recovering from a stroke.
Around four people a day usually attend K&C with hyper acute stroke like symptoms. On average, one of these patients has a confirmed stroke and needs admitting to the stroke ward.
Read why these changes are being made and what they mean for patients
www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/news/news-archive-2016/changes-to-kc/
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust 10 April 2017
www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/news/news-archive-2016/update-on-temporary-changes-to-some-services/