Incorporating: Acute GP, SDEC, UTC
Stroke
Patients with ongoing stroke symptoms, onset within 24 hours, should be admitted to the emergency department via 999 ambulance unless hospital intervention is not appropriate at the end of life.
If patients have had a symptoms suggestive of a TIA (focal neurology with complete symptom resolution within 24 hours) they should be referred to the TIA clinic and should be started on Aspirin 300mg OD until review.
The TIA clinic will also see patients with ongoing new symptoms of onset more than 24 hours ago which have resulted in a minor disability, for example slurred speech or minor limb weakness. These patients should not be started on antiplatelet agents unless they have had a CT scan confirming that there is not a bleed and must be safe at home pending their appointment. If there is any uncertainty as to whether a patient is suitable they should be discussed with the stroke consultant on call via RCHT switchboard.