STROKE UNIT CARE FOR ALL AUSTRALIANS
One stroke occurs every 19 minutes nationwide in Australia, with the burden of stroke particularly overrepresented in regional areas.
Survivors of stroke in metropolitan hospitals receive specialist stroke unit care led by either subspecialised neurologists or stroke physicians. Unfortunately, patients in regional areas are almost exclusively cared for by rotating junior medical staff under the supervision of generalists.
The BUILDS Tele-Stroke Unit consultatory service at Echuca Regional Health was designed to improve the quality of acute stroke inpatient care by ensuring every admitted stroke patient has access to stroke subspecialist input during their inpatient stay. It was very successful. Echuca has embedded this service into a business as usual model so that they can continue to access medical stroke expertise for all stroke and TIA patients to provide genuine stroke unit care.
The service improved diagnostic accuracy and reduced unnecessary resource use leading to potential cost savings for the local health service. It was very well received by patients, families and the regional health professionals. Most importantly it is a viable model that can be used to improve access to stroke unit care regional areas.
Through philanthropic funding we are able to expand BUILDS to two additional sites, Central Gippsland Health Service, Sale (Victoria) and Northwest Regional Hospital, Burnie (Tasmania). This will enable us to further evaluate and refine the service.
Our vision is that this simple model is expanded Australia-wide to ensure all patients receive evidence-based Stroke Unit Care.
BUILDS will ensure those living in the regions receive the same level of stroke neurology specialist care that is provided in metropolitan areas. Furthermore, survivors of stroke can receive this care in their own community surrounded by those they love.
BRIDGING THE URBAN AND REGIONAL DIVIDE IN STROKE
Supported by
“A Tele-Stroke Unit model can provide Regional Australians with the Stroke Neurology expertise that is essential for maximising stroke recovery. We believe Stroke Unit Care should be available to all survivors of stroke regardless of where you live”
BUILDS project team
CONTACT BUILDS
Dr Philip Choi - Department of Neuroscience, Box Hill Hospital.
5 Arnold Street, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Melbourne, Australia
*If you work with a philanthropic organisation or funding body and would like to find out how you can support the BUILDS project, we would love to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page and we will be in touch.
*If you work for a health service and would like to find out more about how your organisation can sign up to be considered for the BUILDS service in the future, please reach out.
*If you would simply like to register your support for the BUILDS project to help us lobby the government for additional funding to expand the service, please let us know by completing the online contact form.
Thank you. Your support is warmly appreciated by the BUILDS team.