The stroke service at Aintree University Hospital has been named the fifth best in the country in an updated, more rigorous national audit programme.
The Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) measures the quality and organisation of stroke care in the NHS, ranking hospitals on a range of criteria including speed of assessment and treatment. It also examines how many people are cared for in a specialist unit, the specialist therapy they receive, and how prepared they are for discharge.
The programme scores 250 hospitals from across England, Wales and Northern Island from A-E, with ‘E’ indicating the lowest possible rating. In the most recent SSNAP audit (October – December 2025), Aintree received a ‘B’ score, which is indicative of first-class quality care. This achievement comes despite a substantial change in how scoring is applied. The changes included significant new indicators, such as on thrombectomy procedures, and increasing the performance bar on several existing measures, like those covering the standard and intensity of rehab care.
Nikhil Sharma, Stroke Consultant, said: “We are delighted that our service continues to perform strongly in national audits.
“The recent changes to audit standards have challenged stroke services across the country to raise the bar, and we are proud that our collective efforts have been recognised. This achievement is testament to the dedication, skill and teamwork of our outstanding staff - both within the service and our wider partners - who consistently deliver high-quality, compassionate care to our patients and their families.”
