Stroke

North Mersey Stroke Service: Excellence in Hyper-Acute Stroke Care

The North Mersey Stroke Service, based at Aintree University Hospital, is a nationally recognised centre of excellence, delivering life-saving care during the critical first 72 hours following a stroke.

Established in 2023, this pioneering service brought together hyper-acute stroke care from Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Aintree University Hospital, and Southport Hospital into a single, purpose-designed unit, transforming the way stroke care is delivered across the region.

By centralising expertise, diagnostics, and advanced treatment technologies, the service ensures that patients receive rapid, specialist-led care from the moment they arrive. Suspected stroke patients bypass traditional emergency departments and are immediately assessed by dedicated stroke professionals, accelerating access to vital interventions.

Strategically located alongside The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust - one of the UK’s leading neuroscience hospitals - the service offers 24/7 access to thrombectomy, a cutting-edge procedure that can dramatically improve outcomes for eligible stroke patients.

Recovery is supported beyond the hospital walls. Around half of patients are able to return home within three days, aided by a compassionate and skilled early supported discharge team. For those requiring further care, seamless transitions are arranged to Aintree, Broadgreen, or Southport hospitals, ensuring continuity close to home.

This ambitious and patient-centred model has earned national acclaim. The North Mersey Stroke Service consistently ranks among the top three stroke units in England in national audits and was honoured with an NHS Parliamentary Award for its innovative and impactful approach to care.

At its heart, the service is driven by a passionate, multidisciplinary team committed to delivering world-class stroke care and continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for patients and their families.

If you think you have had a stroke don't delay - time is brain. Call 999 and immediately attend your nearest stroke centre.

If you are in the North Mersey catchment area you should come directly to our Stroke Emergency Assessment Centre, bypassing the Emergency Department, whenever a stroke is suspected.