Stroke medicine

What we do

King’s is one of eight specialist stroke centres (Hyper Acute Stroke Units) across London.

Patients who come into King’s via the Emergency Department are assessed by our on-call Stroke Team which ensures they have a head scan and diagnosis within 30 minutes of arrival.

Once stroke is confirmed, patients are transferred to our Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) for immediate treatment such as clot-busting drugs (thrombolysis).

Because we accept patients with stroke from all over the South East we ensure they are sent back to a hospital closer to their home for the remainder of their care. Local patients are transferred straight to our Friends Stroke Unit for continuing care.

Transient Ischaemic Attacks
We also have a special service for patients who have had stroke-like symptoms but which have improved by the time they are seen. These episodes are called Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs) and can be a sign that a person will go on to have a stroke. The greatest risk of stroke is within the first 72 hours of having a TIA, so we aim to see suspected TIA patients as soon as possible.

Our rapid-assessment TIA service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We see, assess and treat all patients with suspected TIA within 24 hours of referral.

• We see all high-risk TIA patients immediately and admit them for observation.
• We see all low-risk TIA patients within 24 hours of receiving their referral.

For more information about stroke and advice on people and services that can help you and your family cope with the long-term effects and more information about life after stroke, visit The Stroke Association.

Location

Fifth floor, Ruskin Wing, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS

Contact Details

• Stroke Unit nursing station: +44 (0)20 3299 3913

Conditions we treat

Our fast-track TIA service sees, investigates and treats all patients with suspected TIA within 24 hours of referral, seven days a week.

• All patients are contacted within 24 hours of receipt of the referral.
• Very high-risk patients may be immediately admitted for observation or work-up.
• If symptomatic high-grade carotid stenosis is identified, the patient is seen by the vascular surgeons urgently and booked for early carotid endarterectomy.

What is required before referring a patient

Please use the form below for all referrals of suspected TIA. Please ensure the form is completed in full, with all relevant clinical details, and provide a full history of the event in question, attaching any other relevant documentation (past medical history, medication list, recent investigation results etc).

Please discuss all high risk patients with the stroke SpR on call, including:

• recurrent or crescendo TIA presentation
• patients in AF or on anticoagulation
• multiple vascular risk factors
• prominent head and neck pain suspicious of dissection

Booking a patient at King's

Routine Referrals

For routine referrals, please email the referral form (link below) to the TIA clinic:
Email: kch-tr.dh-tia@nhs.net

Emergency Referrals

For any queries or urgent referrals in-hours (8am to 4pm), please contact:

• Stroke Registrar via the main switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000, Bleep 920 or WiFi 38925
• TIA or Thrombolysis CNS via the main switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000, Bleep 100 or WiFi 39167

For any out-of-hours queries (after 4pm) please contact:

• Stroke or Neurology Registrar via the main switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000, Bleep 920 or WiFi 38600

Other Queries

For all other queries in-hours (8am to 4pm), contact:

• TIA or Thrombolysis CNS via the main switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000, Bleep 100 or WiFi 39167

Out-of-hours contact:

• Stroke Registrar via the main switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000, Bleep 920 or WiFi 38600

Referral Forms

Please complete the relevant form and note any pre-consultation investigations required:

• Lambeth and Southwark TIA referral form

Key Clinical Staff