Date: 27 October 2011
Author: Samantha Collins

Statistics have been published showing that half of stroke victims receiving treatment at NHS hospitals are having to wait at least 24 hours for a brain scan because of lack of equipment or untrained staff.

Samantha Collins, a solicitor in the Ashton KCJ medical injury team, comments: “It is shocking to think that such vital treatment, treatment which if given within the first 24 hours of a patient presenting symptoms of a stroke can be used to prevent permanent brain damage, is being delayed because of lack of equipment or staff qualified to use it. Top performing hospitals carry out 22,000 scans per year, in comparison to some hospitals carrying out a significantly lower 7,800 scans per year.

Clearly, this issue needs to be addressed, whether by way of further training, greater expenditure on equipment, or equipment sharing between hospitals. A situation whereby 50% of patients who have suffered a stroke are waiting more than a day for a scan is not only unacceptable but potentially catastrophic for those involved.”

At Ashton KCJ we see many patients suffering as a result of a delay in treatment. Just a minor delay in the appropriate treatment can mean life changing consequences for the patient.  If you have suffered in this way and would like to know whether you could bring a claim to help fund your future care or treatment, please call us on 0800 616299.