To: Government, NHS, Southport & Formby hospital
Stop tele-networking to diagnose strokes.
If para medics suspect a stroke they should be allowed to take patient to a hospital with a consultant on site.
Why is this important?
Time is of the essence if a stroke is suspected, only a consultant can Confirm the diagnosis. Tele networking is unreliable, it depends on the ability of the person using it. An hour can easily be wasted trying to get a visual with the remote consultant who might be sitting at home at the time of the call. If he can't see the patient via the TV he can't authorise treatment even if he is in possession of e mail of patient's brain scan and A & E staff talk to him on the phone.
Better to spend extra minutes on route to a specialist than a hospital depending on contacting a consultant miles away via a tele network. Many hospitals such as Southport & Formby hospital may have a designated acute stroke unit but there is no consultant on site after 6pm or at weekends.
Better then to send suspected strokes to a staffed unit. Tele networking allows consultants to get paid call or no call, for being at home.
Better to spend extra minutes on route to a specialist than a hospital depending on contacting a consultant miles away via a tele network. Many hospitals such as Southport & Formby hospital may have a designated acute stroke unit but there is no consultant on site after 6pm or at weekends.
Better then to send suspected strokes to a staffed unit. Tele networking allows consultants to get paid call or no call, for being at home.
