PEOPLE are being urged to have their say on district-wide changes to critical hours stroke services to make sure hospital and clinical leaders have got it right.

As part of the changes this summer, Airedale Hospital's existing hyper acute stroke unit (HASU) will move to Bradford Royal Infirmary to create a single critical stroke unit for the whole district.

A national shortage of stroke consultants has forced the move which will go ahead in August without any public consultation because there was no other option.

Last month, Stacey Hunter, director of operations at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, told members of Bradford Council's health and social care overview and scrutiny committee it was too late to go out to consultation and it was "very much in engagement mode".

Two of Airedale's three stroke consultants resigned in May and a third went on long-term leave and has since left the NHS, some locums were taken on but by August only one would be left holding the fort which would not make for a safe service.

From this summer, stroke patients in Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven will treated at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI) in the critical first 48 to 72 hours, meaning two 'hyper acute' emergency beds will be transferred from Airedale to the BRI but they will then be returned for the rest of their care which could be for days, weeks or even months.

Although there was no time for public consultation before the changes were decided, people affected have been urged to give their views.

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.

“During the engagement period we will explain clearly why the service has to change and what impact this will have on the general public and on stroke patients and their families.”

Dr Andy Withers, clinical chairman of Bradford Districts CCG, said: “People’s views will enable us to understand what is important to them when accessing stroke services 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."

Findings from the engagement exercise will be presented to CCG and hospital trust boards, published on CCG and trust websites and will be shared with the health and social care overview and scrutiny committees in Bradford and North Yorkshire.

People can get involved by filling in a feedback form available at airedalewharfedalecravenccg.nhs.uk, by emailing engage@awcccg.nhs.uk, by writing to Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) - Stroke, Freepost, Douglas Mill, Bowling Old Lane, Bradford BD5 7JR, or calling 01274 237324.