The Princess Royal University Hospital’s Hyper Acute Stroke Unit is one of eight specialist stroke centres across London.

Patients who come into the hospital through the Emergency Department are assessed by our on-call Stroke Team. The team ensures they have a head scan and a diagnosis within 30 minutes of arrival. Once stroke is confirmed, patients are transferred to our Hyperacute Stroke Unit (HASU) for immediate treatment such as clot-busting drugs (thrombolysis).

We accept patients from all over the South East and then ensure they are transferred to a hospital closer to their home for the rest of their care. Local patients receive the ongoing care they need at our Stroke Unit.

Our Stroke care at Princess Royal University Hospital (pdf) leaflet has more information about our service.

Rapid-assessment Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) service

We also have a special service for patients who have had stroke-like symptoms but which have improved by the time they are seen. These episodes are called Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs) and can be a sign that a person will go on to have a stroke. The greatest risk of stroke is within the first 72 hours of having a TIA, so we aim to see suspected TIA patients as soon as possible.

Our TIA service operates seven days a week. We see, assess and treat patients with suspected TIA within 24 hours of referral from their GP.

Contact

Princess Royal University Hospital

• TIA clinic: please email any queries to kch-tr.pruh-tia@nhs.net or if very urgent (for example, regarding changing an appointment booked for that same day) call 01689 865642
• Stroke clinic: tel 01689 865880

For GPs and referrers

Bromley GPs should use the Referrals Optimisation Tool to refer patients to the TIA rapid assessment service. GPs from other boroughs, and other health professionals, should complete the referral form and email it to: kch-tr.pruh-tia@nhs.net

Referral criteria for TIA rapid assessments

We aim to investigate and treat all patients who have had a suspected TIA during the last seven days within 24 hours of referral, seven days a week. Patients whose symptoms resolved more than a week ago can be seen within a week. Some appointments may be done virtually to help triage the referral and decide on further imaging.