Stroke medicine

What we do

King’s is one of eight specialist stroke centres ( Hyper Acute Stroke Units ) across London.

Patients who come into King’s via the Emergency Department are assessed by our on-call Stroke Team which ensures they have a head scan and 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).

Because we accept patients with stroke from all over the South East we ensure they are sent back to a hospital closer to their home for the remainder of their care. Local patients are transferred straight to our Friends Stroke Unit for continuing care.

Transient Ischaemic Attacks
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 rapid-assessment TIA service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We see, assess and treat all patients with suspected TIA within 24 hours of referral.

• We see all high-risk TIA patients immediately and admit them for observation.
• We see all low-risk TIA patients within 24 hours of receiving their referral.

For more information about stroke and advice on people and services that can help you and your family cope with the long-term effects and more information about life after stroke, visit The Stroke Association.

Location

Fifth floor, Ruskin Wing, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS

Contact Details

• Main Reception: +44 (0)20 3299 7775

Conditions we treat

Our fast-track TIA service sees, investigates and treats all patients with suspected TIA within 24 hours of referral, seven days a week.

• All high-risk patients are immediately admitted for observation and work-up.
• Low-risk patients are seen within 24 hours of receipt of the referral.
• If high-grade carotid stenosis is identified, the patient is seen by the vascular surgeons on the same day and booked for early carotid endaterectomy, usually within 48 hours.

What is required before referring a patient

Use the Lambeth and Southwark TIA referral form at the bottom of this page to score patients before referral.

High-risk TIA patients are those:

• with an ABCD2 score of 4 or more
• with recurrent TIAs
• in AF or on warfarin

Low-risk patients are those with an ABCD2 score of 0-3.

Booking a patient at King's

Routine Referrals

For routine referrals 8am – 5pm, contact:
TIA Specialist Nurse, tel 07528 977503
Email: kch-tr.dh-tia@nhs.net

Out-of-hours contact:
Neuro registrar via King’s main switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000
or
Stroke registrar via King’s main switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000, or Bleep 920/898

Emergency Referrals

For emergency referrals 8am – 5pm, contact:
TIA Specialist Nurse, tel 07528 977503

Out-of-hours contact:
Neuro registrar via King’s main switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000
or
Stroke registrar via King’s main switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000 or Bleep 920/898

Patients with prominent head and neck pain suggesting dissection should be sent to the Emergency Department, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for same-day investigation and admission.

Other Queries

For all other queries 8am – 5pm, contact:
TIA Specialist Nurse, tel 07528 977503

Out-of-hours contact:
Stroke registrar via King’s main switchboard on 020 3299 9000, or Bleep '920/898

Referral Forms

Please complete the relevant form and note any pre-consultation investigations required:

• Lambeth and Southwark TIA referral form

Key Clinical Staff