A new national Community of Practice is aiming to enhance emergency stroke care across England.

Launched at Maidstone Hospital, part of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW), and chaired by Lead Stroke Nurse, Vicky Williams, its purpose is to bring together healthcare professionals to share knowledge and best practice, with the aim of supporting stroke services with emergency stroke care.

Over 30 stroke professionals from around the UK and overseas attended the inaugural virtual meeting on Monday 22 September.

Presentations were given by MTW’s Stroke Unit, who shared their experiences of developing a dedicated Stroke Assessment Bay on the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit at Maidstone Hospital.

Suspected stroke admissions can be brought directly to the Stroke Assessment Bay on arrival at the hospital, meaning patients do not need to go through the Emergency Department first and can quickly receive the care they need in the right place at the right time.

Guest speaker, Mark Delebajan, Stroke Nurse Consultant at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, also presented on his trust’s Stroke Ambulatory Pathway.

Feedback from the group’s inaugural event was very positive, with members welcoming further meetings to guide them in developing their own same day emergency care (SDEC) stroke services.

Supported by the Kent and Medway Integrated Stroke Delivery Network and the National Stroke Nursing Forum, the SDEC Community of Practice will now meet virtually several times a year and act as a central hub of support for anyone interested in developing stroke same day emergency care in their organisations.

Speaking after the inaugural event, Vicky Williams said: “I am delighted to have initiated a national conversation on same day emergency care for stroke patients. With the number of stroke cases increasing every year, this new collaborative group will become a vital resource in improving stroke care throughout the country, leading to better outcomes for stroke survivors.”

If you are a stroke healthcare professional and would like to be part of the SDEC CoP, please email victoria.williams30@nhs.net.