Two teams at Bradford Teaching Hospitals have won national awards for their work in palliative and stroke care.

Bradford Royal Infirmary has been named in the top ten performers for its fast response time in treating stroke patients with clot-busting drugs which can prevent further damage to their brains.

The results of the British Association of Stoke Physicians’ (BASP) audit for the second half of 2012 analysed door to needle times which rate a hospital’s ability to give patients a blood-thinning drug within a certain timeframe.

This procedure, known as thrombolysis, can help restore blood flow to the brain within minutes of developing symptoms and may increase the patient’s likelihood of good recovery. The BASP audit found that Bradford was able to provide treatment to its stroke patients within an average of 42 minutes.

Doctor Chris Patterson, consultant stroke physician and clinical lead for the condition, said: “This is about acute stroke patients getting the treatment they need as quickly as possible and our results, when compared to other centres of excellence, confirm that the service we are giving our patients is among the best in the country.

“For every minute treatment is delayed, a stroke patient loses 1.9 million brain cells so for every hour that treatment is delayed, the brain ages 3.6 years.”

The acute stroke and neurology team, made up of 50 members, provides care for stroke patients on ward nine at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

On average two or three patients are admitted to BRI with a suspected stroke every day.

Also the work of the hospital’s palliative care team was highlighted.

The team, made up of doctors and nurses, was praised by judges at the International Journal of Palliative Nursing (IJPN), who in collaboration with Macmillan Cancer Support, presented them with the multidisciplinary teamwork award.

Consultant in palliative medicine, Sarah Holmes, said: “This is fantastic recognition for the team who have worked very hard over many years to improve the care of patients in the last weeks and months of life.

“Over the last year we have been working closely with colleagues on the medical wards to pilot a ‘last year of life project’ which aims to ensure that patients in their last year of life get the best possible care, where they want it.

“Initial data suggests the project is already making a real difference to patients and their families, and this award gives much-deserved recognition for the team’s dedication and commitment.”