The way stroke patients in Coventry and Warwickshire receive care will change from today (1^st September) as part of a new approach designed to provide high quality and consistent treatment across the region.

The change, which comes after years of planning, will offer patients the greatest chance of making the best possible recovery.

The need for a new stroke pathway was highlighted by an analysis of stroke services carried out between 2016 and 2019 that identified unwanted variation in the range and quality of service provision. Patients from across Coventry and Warwickshire will now receive the same treatment no matter where in the region they are from.

All patients who suffer a stroke will initially be treated at a specialist stroke unit at University Hospital, Coventry. Patients who need continued treatment in hospital will be transferred to a bedded rehabilitation unit at either George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton or Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital in Warwick.

Patients who do not require continued hospital treatment but do need continuing specialist support with their recovery will be treated at home by the Community Stroke Rehabilitation Service.

The changes bring the stroke pathway in Coventry and Warwickshire in line with other areas of the UK and have support from stroke specialists both nationally and locally. Health leaders believe patients will start see the benefits from this £4 million overhaul from day one.

Dr Anthony Kenton, Consultant Stroke Neurologist at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, said: “We are committed to providing the highest possible standard of care for all stroke patients across Coventry and Warwickshire. These changes mean that patients, no matter where they live in the region, will receive the same high-quality treatment and have the best possible chance of recovery.

“Timely and effective treatment is crucial to maximise a patient’s chances of recovering from a stroke, and patients will start seeing the benefits from the new pathway right away.”

Phil Johns, Chief Executive Officer of NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB, said: “There has been close cooperation between health and care organisations across our region to ensure these changes go smoothly. Staff from right across the stroke pathway have worked extremely hard to ensure patients receive excellent care from day one and I’d like to pay tribute to their efforts in making this possible.

“Close co-operation between the NHS, Local Authorities and the voluntary sector is a core principle of Integrated Care Systems. This is a great example of the difference that we can make when organisations involved in the delivery of health services work together and I hope we can build upon this going forward.”