WA Telestroke Service Surpasses 3,400 Consultations

Revolutionary 24/7 Program Bridges Gap for Regional Stroke Patients

Western Australia’s pioneering Telestroke service has now facilitated over 3,400 remote consultations, significantly improving access to life-saving stroke treatment for patients in regional and remote areas.

Bridging the Distance for Critical Care

The State’s round-the-clock Telestroke initiative connects hospitals lacking on-site stroke specialists with metropolitan experts. These specialists analyze brain imaging scans, enabling rapid diagnosis and the recommendation of optimal treatment pathways for patients experiencing stroke symptoms.

Time is of the essence in stroke treatment, with potentially millions of brain cells lost every minute without intervention. Telestroke effectively dismantles geographical barriers, delivering specialized care directly to communities that need it most.

Since its launch in 2021, the service has assisted over 3,000 individuals across regional WA, with the South West and Great Southern regions showing the highest referral rates, accounting for more than half of all cases.

Recognizing the Signs: Act FAST

As National Stroke Week approaches, from August 4-10, residents are reminded of the critical importance of recognizing stroke symptoms. The widely adopted **FAST** acronym serves as a vital reminder:

• Face: Check if one side of the face has dropped.
• Arms: See if the person can raise both arms.
• Speech: Listen for any slurring or unusual speech.
• Time: Immediately call 000 if any of these signs are present, as time is critical.

“Our government is working hard every day to ensure that Western Australians no matter where they live, have access to the care they need.”

—Meredith Hammat, Health Minister

Minister **Meredith Hammat** highlighted the service’s transformative impact, stating, “WA Telestroke is a transformational service that’s now helped more than 3,000 Western Australians living in regional and remote communities.”

“The service helps to overcome geographical challenges and improve access to expert, time-critical stroke care,” **Hammat** added. “Telestroke not only improves survival rates but significantly reduces the long-term disability often associated with stroke.”

The Health Minister also noted the support provided to rural clinicians: “It also supports clinicians working in rural hospitals to make fast, informed decisions for their patients, no matter where they live.”

“As we mark National Stroke Week, I encourage all Western Australians to learn the signs of stroke and to act FAST. Early recognition and treatment can save lives,” she concluded.

The success of such telehealth initiatives is globally recognized. For instance, a 2023 study published in the Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery found that telestroke networks can significantly improve treatment times and patient outcomes in remote areas by facilitating faster access to expert opinion.