PATIENTS in Gwent who may have suffered a mini-stroke can now get vital assessment and treatment more quickly to reduce the risk of a more serious full-blown stroke.

Suspected TIA (transient ischaemic attack), or mini-stroke, patients can be seen by experts at a new clinic in Newport within a couple of days.

Newport Rapid Access TIA Clinic at St Woolos Hospital, follows the setting up of a similar service at Abergavenny's Nevill Hall Hospital.

"Patients have rapid access to specialist assessment, preventive treatment and advice on modifying their lifestyles where necessary," said consultant physician Dr Taj Hasan, who runs the clinic with fellow consultant physician Dr Yaqub Bhat.

Associate specialist in stroke medicine Dr Amer Jafar, and specialist stroke nurse Kylie Crook complete the team. The clinic runs from 9am-5pm on weekdays.

"We can also order urgent scans to find out if patients' carotid arteries are narrowed," said Dr Hasan.

Provision of stroke services in Wales varies across the country. But Dr Hasan says the TIA clinics are a big leap forward in care for Gwent patients.

"Waiting times for TIA patients have come right down," he said.

"A few months ago they could wait four-six weeks to be seen, but we have cleared that backlog and can get people in - referred by their GP, A&E or the Royal Gwent's medical assessment unit - in 24-48 hours, most within 24 hours."

Timing is important because around one-in-four TIA patients may go on to suffer a full stroke within two or three weeks of that first episode.

"We see 15-20 TIA patients a week (at St Woolos), potentially preventing four or five strokes a week, reducing the burden of disability and the future burden of care."

Quick repsonse is vital

PATIENTS suffering stroke symptoms, or family members, are also being urged by Gwent experts to telephone 999 quickly, in order that potentially lifesaving clot-busting drugs can be administered.

The procedure, known as thrombolysis, must be done inside three hours.

"Thrombolysis is a vital tool in the fight against stroke, and one in which the ambulance service plays a key role," said Dr Hasan.

For further information on stroke and TIAs: www.stroke.org.uk or www.nhs.uk/Actfast

IN a stroke, the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, leading to the damage or destruction of brain cells and subsequent, potentially devastating effects on bodily function.

In recent months, UK charity the Stroke Association has been running a high profile campaign called FAST detailing what to do if you suspect someone is having a stroke. it requires an assessment of three key symptoms:

Facial weakness - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
Arm weakness - can the person raise both arms?
Speech problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time to call 999.
If the person has failed any of these tests, immediate emergency help is required, by calling 999.