HC Deb 12 July 1999 vol 335 cc1-2W
Mr. Trimble

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the age criteria for admission to specialised stroke units in each Southern Health and Social Services Board general hospital which has such a unit. [89949]

Mr. McFall

Adult patients from all age groups are admitted to Craigavon Area Hospital's stroke unit, which is located in Lurgan Hospital.

Mr. Trimble

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which general hospitals sited within the boundaries of the Southern Health and Social Services Board(a) have specialised stroke units and (b) do not have specialised stroke units; which of the latter have plans to establish such units; and what are the target dates. [89947]

Mr. McFall

Craigavon Area Hospital has a specialised stroke unit which is located at Lurgan Hospital.

South Tyrone and Daisy Hill Hospitals do not have specialised stroke units. Following a review of hospital services for the elderly which is due to be completed in September 1999, it is anticipated that discussions will take place with South Tyrone and Daisy Hill about the establishment of additional specialised stroke services.

Mr. Trimble

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to which units stroke clients(a) under 65 years of age and (b) 65 years of age and over, living within the boundaries of the Southern Health and Social Services Board, are sent if there is no stroke unit available at a Southern Health and Social Services Board general hospital. [89950]

Mr. McFall

Within the Southern Health and Social Services Board area, patients with a diagnosis of stroke are admitted to the specialty of general medicine at Craigavon Area Hospital, South Tyrone Hospital or Daisy Hill Hospital for full assessment, appropriate investigation and stabilisation of their condition. Rehabilitation is arranged when clinically indicated. This is usually undertaken by a geriatrician where a patient is over 65.

There is a dedicated stroke unit at Lurgan Hospital, which is part of the Craigavon Area Hospital Trust. Patients are transferred to the Unit, as appropriate, for a further period of rehabilitation. The stroke unit accepts adult patients from all age groups.

Mr. Trimble

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the existing and planned specialised stroke units in Southern Health and Social Services Board general hospitals which are established to treat stroke clients in(a) the acute phase, (b) the rehabilitation phase and (c) both phases. [89948]

Mr. McFall

There is one specialised stroke unit in the Southern Area at present. This is located in Lurgan hospital, which is part of the Craigavon Area Hospital Trust.

The Southern Board is currently undertaking a review of hospital services for the elderly which is due to be completed in September. It is anticipated that this review will recommend that all acute hospitals in the Southern Board area should have dedicated stroke services to treat both the acute and rehabilitation phases.