Oxford hospitals doing 'fantastic work' in stroke care

David Hargroves was joined by NHS England's national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis on a tour of the John Radcliffe University Hospital’s stroke, scanning, and research facilities, where they found out about the latest advancements in stroke treatment, particularly time-sensitive mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

This visit follows the units decision to offer the MT treatment round-the-clock, a move that maximises patient benefit and significantly transforms lives.

The procedure, which involves removing a blockage from a large blood vessel in the brain, became a point of pride for Oxford’s stroke service last year when it became one of the first units in the country to hit the NHS Long Term Plan target for the treatment.

This procedure's success relies on the rapid transfer of acute stroke patients to specialist teams in regional centres, such as the Oxford University Hospitals stroke unit.

This unit is part of the integrated regional stroke network and the broader Thrombectomy Innovation and Transformation Network (TITaN), connecting hospitals in Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Reading, Milton Keynes, Northampton, and Swindon.

Dr David Hargroves said: "The fantastic work of the stroke and interventional neuroradiology team at Oxford, and the wider TITaN network, demonstrates the power of a networked approach to complex medical interventions."

This network has witnessed a five-fold increase in MTs in the past three years.

Prof Meghana Pandit, CEO of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Image: OUH NHS Foundation Trust)

Professor Meghana Pandit, chief executive officer of Oxford University Hospitals, said: "We were delighted to welcome Steve and David and show them how we have been able to make mechanical thrombectomy available 24/7.

"We are leading the way nationally for stroke, at the heart of a strong regional network of hospitals."

Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: "It's a pleasure to see the work of the team in Oxford and the wider stroke network to roll out mechanical thrombectomy, as well as the contribution that the Oxford team is making to stroke research.

"We want to ensure that the progress and learning on implementing on a 24/7 thrombectomy service by the team here can be replicated by other centres across England."

Dr Andrew Brent, Oxford University Hospitals chief medical officer, said: "The mechanical thrombectomy service builds on the great care that the OUH stroke team and our partners already deliver for patients in the region, and the important contributions that Oxford researchers continue to make to improving treatments and outcomes for stroke.

"I would like to thank the wide range of specialists within the multidisciplinary team without whose collaboration and contribution this would not be possible."