Millions of regional and remote Queenslanders will have better access to lifesaving stroke diagnosis and treatment through a new $5.8 million virtual telestroke service, Queensland Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Women, Shannon Fentiman said today.
The Minister said the State Government had committed to the telestroke service to ensure patients in rural and regional hospitals have the same access to stroke specialists as Queenslanders in metropolitan areas.
“We know regional and rural communities are significantly impacted by stroke, with Queenslanders living in these areas 17% more likely to experience a stroke than those living in metropolitan areas,” said Ms Fentiman.
“The decentralised nature of Queensland poses specific healthcare challenges, and this includes ensuring time-critical care for stroke patients.
“We believe all Queenslanders should have access to life-saving medical services regardless of their location.
“This is a game-changer in the ability of Queensland Health to rapidly treat stroke patients, which can make all the difference in improving a patient’s quality of life and reducing the risk of long-term disability.
“It will also help accelerate access to highly effective stroke therapies, such as clot dissolving drugs or clot retrieval procedures, which require access to a stroke specialist,” she said.
The service will allow stroke specialists to assess brain scans and view patients remotely via video to effectively diagnose and decide on a treatment plan as quickly as possible.
Queensland Health will develop the virtual telestroke service, which will be available for patients in 2024. It is set to support approximately two million Queenslanders who live in regional and rural areas that have minimal or no stroke specialist coverage locally to manage acute stroke presentations.
“We applaud the Queensland Government’s decision to implement Telestroke and know it will go a long way in giving people impacted by stroke in Queensland the best chance of survival and a good recovery,” said CEO Stroke Foundation, Dr Lisa Murphy.
“It is critical that Australians, regardless of their postcode, have access to equitable and immediate stroke treatment and that’s exactly what Queensland Telestroke service will deliver.
“Access to Telestroke both increases the rate of thrombolysis administered in regional hospitals and increases the speed at which this time-critical treatment is given. This translates to less death and disability following stroke.”
Stroke is a serious medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced. Approximately 4,000 Queenslanders will experience a stroke this year.
