| Official NHS figures have revealed 59% of patients admitted in 2007 after suffering a stroke were transferred to a specialist unit within one day.
That falls short of the 70% NHS Scotland Quality Improvement Standard target.
The figure does, however, represent an eight percentage point improvement on the hospital’s performance in 2005.
In total, there were 445 stroke patients admitted at Ninewells during 2007, a reduction of 117 on the 2005 total.
Despite its failure to meet the target, Ninewells performed at a level above the national average, where only 56% of patients were moved within 24 hours.
Gail Smith, lead clinician with Tayside Stroke Managed Clinical Network, said, “The redesign of stroke services across Tayside has had a significant impact on the quality of care delivered to stroke patients.
“The Stroke Managed Clinical Network is continuing to work with the staff, local authority, voluntary sector and patients/carers to ensure this improvement continues.
“The MCN in collaboration with NHS Tayside Health Strategy Department is currently monitoring the progress with the development of the Stroke Pathway across Tayside.
“This will ensure Ninewells Hospital meets the target that 70% of stroke patients will be admitted to an Acute Stroke Unit within 24 hours.”
Elsewhere, only 5% of people admitted to Perth Royal Infirmary were transferred to a specialist unit within 24 hours, while Fife’s two major hospitals — Queen Margaret in Dunfermline and Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy — also fell short at 45% and 38% respectively. |
