move will ensure ‘best standard of care’ for patients

By Leanna MacLarty

Published: 28/10/2009

A DEDICATED stroke unit is to be built at Perth Royal Infirmary.

Acute stroke victims who are usually sent to the hospital’s general medical ward will soon get treatment in a specialised ward.

Perth and Kinross Community Health Partnership said the move followed a review of treatment for stroke patients.

The Perth hospital already has an eight-bed rehabilitation unit for stroke patients but it does not cover the most serious cases.

The new unit will be an expansion of the existing rehabilitation unit, bringing the number of beds up to between 20-22.

It will also include a specialised six-bed section for acute patients.

The new unit is expected to be up and running by December and will allow acute patients to be treated in the same place by specialist staff.