NHS is urged to increase number of stroke specialists by a third to tackle “serious shortfall”

The number of full time stroke consultants in the NHS needs to increase by a third to meet UK patients’ current needs, a new report advises.1

The report, from the British Association of Stroke Physicians (BASP), identifies a “serious shortfall” of existing specialists, which has left services unable to keep pace with medical advances and thousands of patients missing out on lifesaving treatments. It recommends an additional 226 full time stroke consultants—an increase of 33% from current estimates of 676.

Having sufficient staff in place will ensure immediate patient access to procedures …