Critical Stroke Services Under Fire

In a chilling revelation, the assistant coroner for Newcastle and North Tyneside, Thomas Crookes, has issued a stark warning about the life-threatening shortcomings in stroke care. This comes on the heels of a tragic incident where Keith Reynolds succumbed to a stroke last November.

The Alarming Hours of Operation

The inquest uncovered that critical stroke interventions, particularly the lifesaving procedure to remove blood clots via catheter, are only accessible during the narrow window of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Outside these hours, patients face a potentially fatal gap in care due to a shortage of neuroradiologists.

A Family's Heartbreak and Official Response

Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NUTH) has extended its condolences to Mr. Reynolds' family. They acknowledged the findings and promised to evaluate and address the coroner's recommendations thoroughly.

The Risk of Preventable Deaths