Agenda item

The Panel considered a report from Slough CCG proposed plans to reconfigure the way acute stroke services are delivered in East Berkshire and particularly in Windsor, Maidenhead and Slough.

The proposed plans were to reconfigure stroke services in East Berkshire to deliver a modified version of the ‘London Model’, which ensured that all suspected stroke patients are conveyed to a Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) for their care.  Currently stroke patients from Slough were likely to be transferred to Wexham Park Hospital which was not a HASU, and following a detailed reviewed it was proposed that outcomes could be improved by treating them at the nearest HASU at Wycombe Hospital.  Patients would receive acute care at the HASU for approximately 7-10 days before being transferred to a local centre for in patient care and rehabilitation.

The Panel asked a number of questions about why Wexham Park Hospital services couldn’t be improved to become and HASU and whether any further risks to patients would be created by increasing the time to transfer stroke patients to Wycombe Hospital.  Members were improved that the evidence clearly showed that improved outcomes for Slough patients could be achieved by transferring them to the nearest HASU.  Stroke services at Wexham Park had not improved as quickly for other services and Slough did not have the scale to realistically become a HASU.  Members asked about future provision, and it was responded that stroke services could be delivered at Wexham Park in the medium to long term future if further significant improvements could be made.  The new approach would be closely monitored to ensure outcomes for patients from Slough were being delivered.

Resolved – 

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That the Panel receive an update report in March 2017.