Huge Boost for Stroke Research
New treatments for stroke patients in North Staffordshire can now be developed thanks to a huge financial boost. University Hospital of North Staffordshire has been awarded nearly 375,000 pounds to research new ways of treating patients. The hours after a stroke are critical for patients so the grant from the National Institute for Health Research will go to studying how to protect the brain.
Dr Christine Roffe, consultant stroke physician, said: "The first few hours after a person has suffered a stroke are the most critical. We are looking at new ways to protect the brain and remove clots to give patients the best chance of survival. We already have an excellent service but this grant will allow us to research different kinds of treatments. The Trust is already a regional centre for the West Midlands so it is important we are at the forefront of research in the region and this investment will certainly help."
Dr Darren Clement, research and development manager, said: "This is fantastic news for the Guy Hilton Research Centre, the Trust and for the people of North Staffordshire. The money is going to be spent on employing staff, ranging from consultants to research nurses bringing together specialties such as emergency medicine, imaging, stroke and neurosurgery. What we mustn't forget is that this research will ultimately help our future patients. People from across North Staffordshire will directly benefit as the money will be used to find out how we can improve stroke treatments over the next three years."
Professor Gordon Ferns, director of research at University Hospital, said: "We are just one of eight centres nationwide to be supported in this way by the National Institute for Health Research. The Trust works very closely with Keele University and other healthcare and academic organisations in the region to give the people of North Staffordshire the care they truly deserve. Dr Christine Roffe is dedicated to improving the lives of people who suffer strokes, through both her clinical work and as a member of Keele University's Research Institute for Life Course Studies"
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