Former stroke patients return to officially re-open the unit that saved their lives
Two Interventional Radiology (IR) theatres at the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) have been officially re-opened by former patients at a celebration event this week.
Patient Angela Bradbury, 69, opened the theatres alongside former patient Kevin Freestone, 57.
Kevin, who had a stroke in October, said: “When I came in, I asked the nurse ‘you will bring me back won’t you? I’ve got a grandchild due’. And they said yes.
“They are a fantastic team. It’s been really emotional today to shake the hand of someone who has saved my life.”
Angela, who had a stroke in August, two days before she was supposed to go on a Mediterranean cruise, added: “I want to thank the staff here from the bottom of my heart – they saved my life.”
The new theatres have state-of-the-art specialist x-ray equipment that show live images inside the body during procedures.
IR uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat diseases or conditions such as strokes. The minimally invasive procedure does not require a surgical incision which reduces infection rates and recovery time, as well as shortens hospital stays.
The new theatres will help NUH expand its Mechanical Thrombectomy service. Mechanical Thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that removes blood clots from arteries within the brain for patients who have suffered a stroke. The ground-breaking intervention has been shown to significantly increase positive patient outcomes and decrease the risk of long-term disability. NUH’s service treats around 200 patients a year.
NUH Medical Director Dr Manjeet Shehmar said: “It is a pleasure to be part of celebrating these new theatres and the amazing work of the IR Team. We are already a regional centre for Mechanical Thrombectomy and are accepting patients regionally, so these theatres allow us to deliver these procedures to an even higher standard.
“I have met with several colleagues in the Mechanical Thrombectomy pathway, as well as walk through, so I know how much these theatres will make a difference to them and our patients, as well as to other IR pathways.
“I understand that this project has been a long time in the making, but I am confident that they will prove to be a great success for our patients.”