Scottish Telestroke Programme

Cardiac & Telestroke Programme

SCTT is now incorporating cardiac and stroke disease into a wider cardiovascular telehealth Programme. Currently the SCTT is working with cardiologists at Golden Jubilee Hospital to identify a telehealth model focused on improving access to advanced heart failure. The evaluation of the tele-cardiology pilot for access to rapid access chest pain services, which SCTT collaborated on with NHS Highland, will be included on the new cardiology web pages*

Acute Telestroke

Scottish Government now recommend that a national telestroke service, providing access to acute stroke thrombolysis (clot busting) for the relevant areas unable to provide 24/7 stroke thrombolysis, is delivered by 2012.

There are now five acute telestroke networks operational or under development across Scotland. The five networks cover 11 health boards; the telestroke update page provides the latest information on these. Some have now become substantive services. All have been delivered within existing health board budgets and job plans, however, to mainstream all telestroke services and provide 24/7 cover for all areas, further revenue funding will be required. SCTT as part of NHS 24, is working in collaboration with regional planning groups and the Stroke National Advisory Committee -Thrombolysis Group, to identify how best to provide effective and sustainable 24/7 acute telestroke services.

Telestroke Rehabilitation

The stroke managed clinical network is strong in Scotland. Working with the network allows identification of other areas where telehealth can improve service or enable services to be provided. The network also provides access to a spectrum of relevant stakeholders. This is particularly relevant in stroke rehabilitation and there are now several services and feasibility trials ongoing throughout Scotland, these can be found on the Telestroke Rehabilitation page.

*Cardiac webpage under construction

Anne Reoch (nee Duthie)
SCTT Cardiac & Stroke Clinical Lead
May 2011
Mob: 07825 386323
anne.reoch@nhs.net