Patients Suffering 'Mini-Strokes' Not Treated Well

The National Audit reveals that lots of patients with major strokes are put to risk because the NHS fails to give critical surgery. A research by the Royal College of Surgeons shows that out of 10 patients who suffer a "mini-stroke," four of them are not given the right treatment within two weeks.

According to The Telegraph, many of these "mini-stroke" patients wait for almost two months to be given a surgery that is supposed to be an urgent one in the first place. The other day, charities announced the variations across countries with the alarming rise of 10,000 needless strokes annually.

Almost 50,000 patients in the United Kingdom suffered transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The episode that is also known as "mini-strokes" can make a person have a temporary facial weakness, pins and needles and also speech problems.

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence says the operation known as Carotid Endarterectomy must be done to patients within two weeks after suffering the said symptoms. An audit in England and Wales though revealed that out of 4,250 patients who suffered mini-strokes, there are 43 percent who were forced to wait longer.

Four in ten patients suffering 'mini-strokes' do not get treatment in time https://t.co/9AhmaLOOkP

— Telegraph Science (@TelegraphSci) December 4, 2016

Royal College today then called an urgent action by hospitals on the issue of delaying the agony felt by the patients that could cause devastating consequences to the patients. Many of these could have been easily avoided if they were taken with actions immediately.

Professor Ian Loftus, a consultant vascular surgeon, said that it is important for people to know the symptoms of stroke that includes blurred vision, slurred speech, a weak feeling on arms, legs or fave. Professor Loftus is the lead clinician for the National Vascular Registry (NVR), he encourages hospitals to change their ways if they are still practicing the act of prolonging the agony of the patients.