A new unit at Stepping Hill Hospital for the treatment of ‘mini-strokes’ has officially opened.

The stroke team at Stepping Hill Hospital has always treated mini-stroke patients in outpatient clinics, but they have not had a dedicated TIA unit before. The new unit includes the latest scanning technology, and areas where patients can be examined and treated.

The TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) Unit provides specialist care to patients who have suffered from a mini-stroke which occurs when blood flow to part of the brain stops for a short period of time. The disruption in blood supply results in a lack of oxygen to the brain which can cause sudden symptoms similar to a stroke, such as speech and visual disturbance, and numbness or weakness in the face, arms and legs. These symptoms appear and last less than 24 hours before disappearing and while mini-strokes generally do not cause permanent brain damage, they are a serious warning sign that a stroke may happen in the future and should not be ignored.

Thanks to the new unit, now officially opened by trust chief executive Ann Barnes, mini-stroke patients are now more likely to be seen quicker, with most being seen within a day of referral. The unit sees over a hundred patients a month. 

Stepping Hill Hospital is one of only three specialist stroke centres in Greater Manchester and also treats stroke patients from Macclesfield. The stroke centre, which the TIA unit is part of, has recently been rated the top stroke service in the country by the independent Sentinel Stroke Audit Programme, out of a total of 224 services in the country. 

Stroke lead consultant Dr Shivakumar Krishnamoorthy at Stepping Hill Hospital said, “A TIA or mini-stroke is less severe than a stroke, but it is still a frightening and harrowing experience, as well as a major warning sign for more serious attacks. We are delighted to now have a unit entirely dedicated to these patients, which will ensure the best possible care for their condition.”