The Department of Health has announced that stroke patients will be able to access specialist consultant advice, day or night, under an expanded Statewide Telestroke Service.
The Department said the extended service would see consultant stroke physicians available 24/7 and enable clinicians in rural and outer metropolitan areas to seek expert assistance on quick diagnosis and appropriate treatment for their patients.
Acting Minister for Health, Rita Saffioti said the rapid, specialist advice, delivered using contemporary technology, would be critical in saving lives and reducing the potential for disability.
“The service will ensure equity of access for patients who suffer stroke and live in outer metropolitan, regional and remote areas,” Ms Saffioti said.
She said the funding, part of the WA Recovery Plan, would also be used to establish an integrated communication and image viewing solution for acute stroke patient diagnosis and treatment.
“This will enable the physicians to remotely transfer CT images, data, documentation and visual diagnosis of the patient,” Ms Saffioti said.
“Expansion of the Telestroke Service aligns to the recommendation made by the Sustainable Health Review to improve coordination and access for country patients and invest in prevention and innovation for a more sustainable, equitable and efficient health system.”
She said strokes were one of Australia’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability, which was why rapid access to specialists was so important in reducing its impact.
