A LIFESAVING group of doctors and nurses are celebrating winning two national awards in a month.

Southend Hospital’s stroke team won first place at the finals of the prestigious Health Service Journal 2013 awards, and was described by judges as an “outstanding example of high quality service”.

The multidisciplinary stroke team won in the secondary care service redesign category for its “mini stroke” service, an innovative system which speeds up access to specialist assessment and treatment for stroke patients.

The news came just a month after the team took the trophy for best use of IT to support clinical treatment and care at the finals of the national E-Health Insider awards.

Lead stroke consultant Dr Paul Guyler said: “We are delighted to have to won again as this is another example of the expertise and innovation we have developed in the team to improve stroke services to patients.

“It is extremely gratifying that everyone’s hard work and dedication has been recognised nationally. But, the real reward for us is the fact patients are receiving immediate treatment to reduce their chances having a life-changing stroke.”

Clinicians at the hospital recognised that a “mini stroke”, or transient ischaemic attack, can often be a warning sign of a major stroke.

They were keen to ensure patients had fast access to appropriate treatment, so they undertook a major overhaul of the system.

They introduced a web-based referral system to support GPs, which provides guidance on the next steps for the patient, and transmits information to a dedicated inbox, avoiding delays.

High-risk patients need to be assessed by a specialist and treated within 24 hours, while low-risk patients should be seen within a week.

The unit also brought in 24/7 access to the stroke team, and introduced a one-stop clinic, where staff were taught new skills and introduced a medication to improve the service for patients.

The staff also launched a social marketing project which educates the public to the signs of stroke.

Dr Guyler said: “We’ve changed the whole service to see people immediately, so we can do all the brain scans and heart tests needed and give them the treatment they require. What that means to patients is a seamless, immediate service.”

Recent figures show the stroke team now have a 100 per cent success in meeting the seven-day target for low-risk patients and treating high-risk patients within 24 hours of referral. The hospital is now recognised as one of the top three units in the country for its performance.

Dr Guyler continued: “Our vascular services are the best in the region and operate the quickest.

“We’re very proud for the hospital and the team who put so much hard work, but the real winners are the patients.

“Southend Stroke Unit has a reputation for excellence – we’ve got the lowest death rate in the region and one of the lowest in the country, and we’re renowned for excellence in research.

“We always take every opportunity to remind patients of the FAST response – face, arms, speech and time – and even if the symptoms get better, we want to them to call 999, so we can work to prevent another stroke and give people their lives back.”

Hospital chief executive Jacqueline Totterdell, added: “We are hugely proud of our stroke services and the teamwork which has brought tremendous benefits for patients using these services and their families, is something to really celebrate.

“I know how much excellent work goes on around the organisation day in, day out – but it is so good to have it recognised more widely."