PEOPLE still have a chance to have their say on health bosses' plans to restructure care for stroke victims across the Bradford district.

Clinical leaders in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven are now gathering views from across the district and there is still opportunity to contribute.

As part of the changes, two existing hyper acute stroke unit (HASU) beds at Airedale General Hospital are now at Bradford Royal Infirmary, following creation of a single such unit for the whole district.

The three local NHS clinical commissioning groups - Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, Bradford City, and Bradford Districts – have been working with local hospital trusts to develop a single site emergency stroke service for the district.

The service, based at Bradford Royal Infirmary, provides round the clock care, seven days a week, giving patients access to the specialist skills, tests and treatments needed to save more lives, improve recovery and reduce disabilities that can result from a stroke – particularly in the first critical 48 hours of care.

The existing stroke unit at Airedale Hospital has remained as an acute stroke care and rehabilitation unit – 90 per cent of the services it provides have been unaffected by this decision – and the two HASU ‘emergency’ beds have transferred to Bradford Royal Infirmary alongside the existing HASU beds at that hospital.

As soon as patients have been stabilised by the team in Bradford, usually within 48 to 72 hours, patients from the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven areas are transferred to Airedale General Hospital for their ongoing acute stroke care and rehabilitation.

Dr Phil Pue, chief clinical officer of Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG, said: "We recognise that our plans will have a direct impact on patients who will need to travel a further distance to receive their HASU care and, potentially, on those already receiving or likely to receive care at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

"So we want to hear from as many people as possible who will be affected by this change."

Dr Andy Withers, clinical chair of Bradford Districts CCG, added: “Local people’s views will enable us to understand what is important to them and how the changes will impact on their lives, and to identify any issues we have not considered and potential service improvements that should be discussed.

"All the information we receive will be published in a report explaining how we will respond, through the new service, to people’s concerns and comments."

People can get involved before Wednesday, September 9 by:

•filling in a feedback form available at: www.airedalewharfedalecravenccg.nhs.uk

•emailing comments to: engage@awcccg.nhs.uk

•writing to Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) - Stroke, Freepost RTER-LYHC-EJET, Douglas Mill, Bowling Old Lane, Bradford BD5 7JR or calling: 01274 237324