Taoiseach opens new stroke unit
The new stroke unit at CUH has been officially opened by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
It is anticipated that the stroke service at the hospital will care for approximately 1,200 patients per year and will also be open for service 24 hours a day, 7 days per week as a regional stroke thrombectomy centre, serving patients across Munster and the south of Ireland.
The unit will be operated by approximately 26 staff members.
The Taoiseach was welcomed to CUH by CEO of the South/South West Hospital Group, Gerry O’Dwyer and CEO of CUH David Donegan and was given a tour of the stroke unit, where he also met with staff members and patients attending the Unit.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I am delighted to open this new state-of-the-art stroke unit at CUH. This facility will have a significant impact on the care provided to those who suffer from strokes from all over Munster.
“Newly refurbished units like these will greatly improve the overall patient experience, by offering best practice and specialised procedures for those who suffer from strokes. I would like to congratulate all the team here in CUH and at Group HQ in the development of this new stroke unit. I also wish the staff and the patients who will attend this unit every success.”
CUH is 1 of 2 national stroke thrombectomy centres, undertaking highly specialist procedures for certain types of stroke, enabling clinicians to remove clots from blocked blood vessels within the brain.
With the busiest inpatient stroke service in the country, the newly refurbished, ergonomically designed stroke unit will provide a 31 bed unit with an improved therapy suite, and a new 5 bed Hyper-acute Stroke Bay with advanced monitoring. The stroke service at CUH has 24/7 consultant cover and runs an outpatient service to follow up patients after discharge and to see new referrals for complex stroke cases from all over Munster.
David Donegan, CEO of CUH said: “The development of the stroke unit in CUH is exceptionally positive and will enable staff at CUH to provide the highest standard of care for our patients. I want to thank everyone involved for doing their best to ensure that the unit has now been opened. We have a wonderful and highly skilled team working here at the Hospital and I know that each person is excited about the potential of this new unit.”
The CEO of the South/South West Hospital Group, Gerry O’Dwyer said: “The investment by the South/South West Hospital Group in the new unit was part of the group’s ongoing efforts to meet the needs of the community. The opening of the new improved stroke unit will greatly improve the ability of the hospital and its medical staff to treat patients. The unit will increase capacity for the treatment and prevention of strokes.”