All suspected acute strokes across BNSSG should be referred to NBT (Southmead Hospital) ED for the attention of the stroke team, usually via emergency ambulance.
This may not be their local hospital. BRI and Weston General Hospital no longer have acute stroke services.
There are rare occasions when patients do not travel via ambulance with an acute stroke presentation. Please be sure to direct them to Southmead ED and contact the Stroke team in advance to inform them of their pending arrival if this is the case.
Do not start anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment in the community at presentation as haemorrhagic stroke has to ruled out by brain imaging.
Full details of Stroke Services across BNSSG can be found here. In addition, the Stroke team are available 24/7 via NBT switchboard for advice.