Stroke Medicine

Norfolk and Norwich Hospital is one of the the five largest combined stroke units in England.

Stroke care is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. This includes doctors, nurses, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, psychologist, social workers and the stroke research team.

The team work together to provide individually tailored care that meets the needs of individual patients.

Care ranges from emergency assessment and treatments (including clot busting thrombolysis therapy) in the first few hours after stroke, to rehabilitation (physiotherapy, occupational, speech therapy and psychology). These aim to support the stroke survivor to return to normal functions after a stroke.

The stroke service also treats patients with transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) in a daily clinic in an attempt to prevent further larger strokes occurring.  GPs can refer patients to the Rapid Access TIA clinic using the referral form.

We have five full time stroke consultants – Dr Kneale Metcalf, Dr Nav Shinh, Dr Patrick Sutton, Dr Chit Hmu and Dr Raj Rajakunjaram.

Symptoms of a stroke

The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word F.A.S.T.:

• Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
• Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
• Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake.
• Time – it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.