UHL Highlights Stroke Care Advances on World Stroke Day

University Hospital Limerick (UHL) is marking World Stroke Day today (Wednesday), by highlighting the hospital’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality, timely stroke care and innovative models of patient support, including the use of virtual ward technology and early supported discharge for stroke patients across the Mid West region.

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and adult disability in Ireland. However, outcomes continue to improve thanks to advances in acute treatment, early rehabilitation, and new approaches to care that allow patients to recover safely at home with clinical oversight.

The stroke service at UHL provides comprehensive, 24-hour stroke care. The service includes rapid assessment and imaging, intravenous thrombolysis (clot-busting treatment), and multidisciplinary rehabilitation involving specialist nurses, doctors, and therapists. It also boasts a dedicated specialised Acute Stroke Unit which has been in existence for 10 years this November.

Around 7,500 people in Ireland experience a stroke every year. About 90,000 people live with disability and the effects of stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of acquired neurological disability. One in four of us will have a stroke. In 2024 over 600 patients were treated within the stroke service in UHL making it the third busiest in Ireland.

The Irish National Audit of Stroke (INAS) found that in 2014, 73% of stroke patients reached hospital in the recommended timeframe. Currently, fewer than 50% of stroke patients around the country arrive at hospital within three hours of symptoms starting — a critical window for lifesaving and disability-reducing treatments.

As the new ‘Every Second Counts’ awareness campaign continues to roll out nationwide, HSE Mid West is encouraging members of the public to familiarise themselves with the FAST message for recognising the signs of stroke:

F – Face: Has one side of the face fallen?

A – Arms: Can the person raise both arms?

S – Speech: Is speech slurred?

T – Time: Call 999 or 112 immediately.

Nora Cunningham, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Lead for Stroke Services at UHL, said: “Every second counts when it comes to stroke. Rapid recognition and prompt hospital treatment can make a crucial difference in recovery. At UHL, our team is dedicated to providing rapid, expert care in hospital, and through innovative programmes like the virtual ward and early supported discharge, ensuring patients continue to receive specialist monitoring and support after discharge.”

The UHL Virtual Ward and Early Supported Discharge Programme are key components of stroke care in the Mid West, enabling selected patients to safely complete part of their recovery at home while remaining under close clinical supervision. Using secure technology and coordinated community-based rehabilitation, patients can share key health information remotely with the hospital’s multidisciplinary stroke team, allowing early intervention, reducing hospital stays, and promoting independence in recovery.

Ms Cunningham added: “The virtual ward and early supported discharge service allow us to extend specialist stroke care beyond the hospital walls. They give patients confidence and continuity in their recovery, while allowing them to regain independence in their own homes. It also provides them with the support and guidance with medication management and lifestyle changes that are crucial for stroke secondary prevention. These innovations ensure that the right level of clinical oversight remains in place, supporting both safety and quality of life.”

Over the past year, UHL has continued to strengthen its stroke services through initiatives including:

- Enhanced rapid-access pathways for emergency stroke assessment and treatment.

- Expansion of early supported discharge and virtual ward follow-up for eligible patients.

- Ongoing staff education and participation in national stroke audits.

- Strengthened links between hospital, community, and rehabilitation services.

The UHL stroke team is marking World Stroke Day with awareness and education activities, reinforcing the importance of prevention, early recognition, and innovation in care delivery.