For Rhys, under the preferred option…
An ambulance takes Rhys to Glangwili Hospital, and he is taken directly to the CT scanner within the stroke unit. Following the scan, Rhys would remain in the stroke unit. If a stroke is confirmed and Rhys needs thrombolysis treatment, this will take place in the Stroke Unit at Glangwili Hospital.
If Rhys hasn’t had a stroke, he will go to Emergency Department at Glangwili Hospital for further tests.
If Rhys had a more serious stroke (with a large blood vessel occlusion, which is a type of stroke where blood flow to a main artery in the brain is interrupted), he would be taken by ambulance to the thrombectomy centre in Bristol or Cardiff. Thrombectomy can be used to treat these types of stroke. This care is provided regionally for Wales and south and western regions of England in Bristol and Cardiff.
Once the Bristol or Cardiff thrombectomy team assess Rhys is fit to be discharged from their care he will be transferred back to Glangwili Hospital or directly home dependent on his recovery post thrombectomy.
If thrombectomy is not the right treatment for Rhys, then he will stay at the Stroke Unit at Glangwili Hospital for his acute and rehabilitation stroke treatment. Rhys may be able to be discharged home with support from the Integrated Community Stroke Service.