I'm disappointed (From Warrington Guardian)

I'm disappointed

I WAS disappointed to read the World's article 'New Stroke Unit Plans are Axed', February 18.

I am concerned that the headline does not accurately reflect the reality of the situation and am keen to make Halton Hospital's position clear.

As has been extensively reported in your newspaper, the Trust has recently reviewed services provided at Halton General Hospital in order to secure its clinical future.

This has confirmed the need for high quality services to be available in Halton for local people who suffer an acute stroke.

It has always been the view of the hospital that six beds for acute stroke patients were required and that these should be located on a medical ward and served by highly trained staff that have the expertise to manage stroke effectively.

These six beds, supported by the highly skilled medical and nursing staff at Halton, are our 'acute stroke unit'.

To the best of my knowledge there has never been a plan to build a separate physical ward for acute stroke patients.

I am, therefore, at a loss to understand what plans have been 'axed'.

The provision of care within our stroke assessment unit is of the highest quality.

Immediately on admission, all stroke patients commence a programme of treatment, which is in line with national best practice.

This is a goal many hospitals are still working to achieve and was recently discussed in a meeting with a member of the Stroke Association who was extremely impressed and proud to be associated with such excellent standards of care provision at the hospital.

Please be assured that the hospital and its excellent medical and nursing staff are absolutely committed to providing high quality acute and rehabilitation care to local stroke patients.

Our aim is to be there when Runcorn and Widnes patients need us and to care for them well.

Ian Dalton,

Chief Executive,

North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust