Stepping Hill Hospital’s stroke centre in Stockport has been rated as the best in the country.

The latest independent quarterly report from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) is the single source of stroke data for England, and rates the quality and performance of services for every stroke patient, from treatment to recovery. The report is produced by the Royal College of Physicians in collaboration with stroke clinicians, researchers and patient representatives, and examines all main aspects of stroke care.  

In the new report, Stepping Hill Hospital came top in England out of a total of 224 routinely admitting acute stroke teams (those which admit the majority of stroke patients directly for acute stroke care) between April and June 2018. It had previously been rated first in an SSNAP report last year, and has now returned to the top position. 

The hospital’s stroke centre has two wards, and assesses over 3000 patients with suspected stroke and treats over 1100 stroke patients a year. It is one of only three specialist units in Greater Manchester and expanded its services four years ago. The unit treats patients from Eastern Cheshire, as well as Greater Manchester.

Strokes are the fourth biggest killer in the UK, and a leading cause of disability – but swift, specialist treatment can make a huge difference. There are more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year with someone suffering from one every five minutes.

The Stepping Hill stroke centre uses high tech scanners to detect blood clots in the brain, and then emergency `clot-busting` drugs to break them down. It also provides stroke patients with a full rehabilitation programme, with a team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists working alongside stroke doctors and nurses.

The centre includes a dedicated assessment unit for stroke patients in the emergency department, hyperacute stroke unit , physiotherapy gym, sensory garden therapy rooms, and a specialist unit specifically for the assessment of TIAs (or ‘mini strokes.’)

 Patients have ranged in age from 21 to 104, with the average patient staying on the unit for 22 days.

 One patient satisfied with the care he received is Brian Ahern from Offerton in Stockport. Brian, 81, is a retired master butcher, furnace operator and journalist, and is married to Beryl with three children, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Brian had a stroke several months ago, and was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital’s A&E before being transferred to the unit, where he made his recovery. 

Brian said: “The care received since I had my stroke was great. It’s like a home from home at the unit; all the staff form a good association with you, they’re always there with a smile. It’s what you need during difficult times.”

Following his recovery on the unit Brian is now back home with his family. 

Dr Srinath Meadipudi, clinical director for stroke services at the hospital said; "We are very proud to receive this confirmation that we are providing some of the very best quality care for stroke patients in the country.

This assessment is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of all the different staff groups on the unit who work together to give our patients the best possible support and chance of recovery.

We will continue to do our uppermost to ensure our standards remain high.”