The stroke unit is based on ward 6 at Bradford Royal Infirmary. It is a 35-bed ward for stroke and neurology patients which comprises six hyper-acute stroke (HASU) beds and 29 beds used for acute stroke (ASU), stroke rehabilitation and neurology.
The stroke unit aims to take all suspected stroke patients (via the HASU beds) aged over 18 from the Bradford and Airedale areas as soon as possible, usually directly from the Accident and Emergency department.
Patients who arrive within 4.5 hours of symptom onset may be suitable for emergency clot-busting treatment. Patients from Airedale are repatriated to the Airedale acute stroke unit as soon as they are medically fit to transfer hospital.
Approximately 900 stroke patients are admitted per year through the unit, the majority of whom are ultimately able to return home.
The ward is staffed by a specialist multi-disciplinary team consisting of doctors, nurses and therapists. The department is supported by colleagues in medicine, neurology, elderly care, vascular surgery and radiology.
Patients returning home have access to specialist therapy and community stroke nurses.
Daily clinics are held for patients who suffer transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs or ‘mini-strokes’) to allow prompt assessment and investigation with the aim of stroke prevention.
The Bradford Stroke Service is an active research unit with many of our patients recruited into large multi-centre stroke trials.
