Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP has thanked Shoalhaven Hospital’s Stroke Team and The Angels Initiative for inviting her to attend an outstanding Code Stroke demonstration for World Stroke Day.
Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital is the first regional hospital in Australia to earn Platinum status by the World Stroke Organisation, a feat the Gilmore MP said is testament to the amazing health care staff at the hospital.
“I was so incredibly proud to present the Shoalhaven Stroke Team with their eighth Gold Award from the World Stroke Organisation for outstanding patient care,” Fiona Phillips said.
“It was truly fascinating to see what goes on when “Code Stroke” occurs in our local hospital. All of the health staff involved go above and beyond at lightning speed to save lives and improve health outcomes for those experiencing this terrible condition,”
“How phenomenal to see our regional hospital receiving such a prestigious honour from the World Stroke Organisation – best practice stroke care right here in the Shoalhaven,” she said.
Management of stroke requires multi-disciplinary teamwork including participation of ambulance, triage, emergency department, radiology, stroke team and the NSW telestroke service.
“Congratulations to all those staff involved, and thank you for your utmost dedication to ensuring local stroke patients receive the best possible care,” Fiona said.
The electorate of Gilmore is ranked 6th in Australia for both the number of Australians living with stroke (3,882) and annual stroke cases (225), according to a 2020 report by Deloitte Access Economics.
Stroke is always a medical emergency and time to treatment is a critical factor affecting outcomes for patients. For every 15 minutes delay between the onset of stroke symptoms to treatment, a patient will lose 28.5 million neurons and 180kms of myelinated fibres. On the flip side, for every 15 minutes shortened between the onset of stroke symptoms to treatment, each year:
- 380 more Australians will walk out of the hospital under their own power
- 345 will be able to take care of themselves at home after they leave hospital
- 345 will survive their stroke.
