Stroke is the third most common cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in Australia. The NSW Telestroke Service offers people living in regional and rural areas increased access to life-saving stroke diagnosis and treatment. It does this by connecting local doctors to specialist stroke physicians via video consultation in the emergency department.
Telestroke helps doctors to decide the most appropriate treatment option for each patient. These options include urgent treatment to dissolve a clot at their local hospital, or urgent transfer to a specialised stroke centre for more complex treatment where appropriate.
Like other types of virtual care, the NSW Telestroke Service complements existing health services and enhances access to specialists.
The $21.7 million NSW Telestroke Service is jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments. By June 2022, the service will connect up to 23 rural and regional hospitals across NSW with a network of virtual specialist stroke doctors, managed by the Prince of Wales Hospital.
Congratulations to all NSW Telestroke Service Partners
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Telestroke specialists, the Agency for Clinical Innovation, eHealth NSW, Ministry of Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Mid North Coast Local Health District, Central Coast Local Health District, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Murrumbidgee Local Health District, Northern NSW Local Health District, Western NSW Local Health District, Southern NSW Local Health District, Far West Local Health District, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and the Stroke Foundation
Winners will be announced at the virtual event ceremony being livestreamed on the Premier’s Awards website on Wednesday, 3 November 2021..