Sarah Read
17 Nov 2023 · Coroner Christopher Long · Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen
This report repeats 2 earlier warnings, and was raised again 2 times later. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. lack of thrombectomy service after 5pm
“Evidence was heard that there is no provision in Lancashire for Thrombectomy Service following a stroke after 5pm and that neighbouring Trusts who provide this service are no longer able to accept patients from Lancashire. Despite efforts made to resolve this, there is nothing in place for coordination of this service regionally to ensure that this urgent lifesaving treatment is available when required after 5pm.”
Linked reports
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
Earlier report
“I heard evidence during this inquest that the availability of thrombectomy is currently variable and dependent on geographical location and timing.”
This report
“(1) Evidence was heard that there is no provision in Lancashire for Thrombectomy Service following a stroke after 5pm and that neighbouring Trusts who provide this service are no longer able to accept patients from Lancashire.”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
Earlier report
“There is no thrombectomy service available 24/7 for RCHT patients.”
This report
“Evidence was heard that there is no provision in Lancashire for Thrombectomy Service following a stroke after 5pm and that neighbouring Trusts who provide this service are no longer able to accept patients from Lancashire.”
Identical hazardConfidence 0.90 · high
This report
“Evidence was heard that there is no provision in Lancashire for Thrombectomy Service following a stroke after 5pm and that neighbouring Trusts who provide this service are no longer able to accept patients from Lancashire.”
Later report
“NHS England national service specifications provide for a 24/7 thrombectomy service which is not currently being delivered in Lancashire and there is no clear plan to deliver that service”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
This report
“Evidence was heard that there is no provision in Lancashire for Thrombectomy Service following a stroke after 5pm and that neighbouring Trusts who provide this service are no longer able to accept patients from Lancashire.”
Later report
“The evidence revealed that there is a gap in the availability of the time critical and potentially lifesaving thrombectomy emergency procedure to patients that have suffered a severe stroke in the South West.”
Responses
2023-0460-Response-from-NHS-England.pdf ↗· NHS England
Stated action
“The interim offer for Lancashire is in the process of being formalised, led by the Medical Director for Specialised Commissioning who is working with the three units across the North West.”