From April this year, the TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack) clinic, which is situated in the AMU, will pilot extending its service to 7 days a week for high risk patients. GPs can refer patients with suspected TIA (also known as a mini stroke) direct to the TIA clinic by phoning the hospital and paging the Stroke nurse (available 24hrs a day, 7 days a week on bleep 455. All high risk patients are seen within 24hrs and low risk patients within one week, but often these are seen the next working day.
Patients will have blood tests and scans, and then will be seen by a stroke consultant for a review. Where necessary, patients will then be referred for a surgical opinion if Carotid Surgery is required.