Matthew Bowker

• MBBS
• Examination of patterns of stroke assessment by paramedics according to geography, time and day.

Paramedic recognition of stroke symptoms is vital for ensuring transfer to the correct clinical setting and rapid treatment. They should collect a standard set of information, but this is challenging because other of conditions which mimic a stroke diagnosis, neurological problems and time pressures.

This project will investigate whether the completeness and accuracy of paramedic stroke assessment varies by day / time (e.g. are the assessments less thorough on busy Friday nights?) and distance from the hospital / time with the patient.

Consecutive paramedic records for stroke patients admitted to Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust will be examined retrospectively.

Project Supervisor: Dr Christopher Price, Institute of Neuroscience

Funding Source: Newcastle University