Consultant wins national award for transforming stroke care in Essex

Dr Sreeman Andole, Assistant Medical Director at NHS England and Clinical Director at Kings College Foundation NHS Trust has topped a public vote to win the Professional Excellence category of the Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards.

He was presented with his trophy at a ceremony at the Landmark Hotel in London on 21 November 2018. Dr Andole was originally nominated by his colleague Dr Muftah Selim for dedicating his life and career to improving care for stroke patients.

In January 2016, stroke care in West Essex was in turmoil after the acute stroke centre in Harlow was closed. Dr Andole persuaded neighbouring Queens Hospital, where he was then based, to take on and treat stroke patients who could no longer go to their local hospital.

As a result his team had to support several hundred more patients with same resources.To meet the increased demand for emergency stroke care he led service transformation across the region.Despite a difficult start, the hospital now provides world class care for stroke patients all over West Essex.Dr Andole said:

“Getting the executive team to focus on stroke services when they had so many competing priorities was tricky. I also had to convince my team to meet tough standards with a minimal workforce and it was exhausting at times.To make it work we needed sustained management support throughout the organisation – from the board to the stroke unit. I needed nerves of steel at points just to stay motivated, it was a lot of pressure but I’m proud of what we achieved, it was worth it.”

The changes that Dr Andole implemented meant that the Queens Hospital Romford Hyper Acute Stroke Unit which had been rated D by the national stroke audit improved to an A-rating

The Professional Excellence category had a shortlist of five.The result was decided by the public who voted online, Dr Andole won by a margin of 40%.

“That this award was voted for by members of the public means a huge amount. I feel like the people of Harlow realised the risk that we took and how much we did. This award is not just for me, it is for the entire team, every one of them committed to improving the lives of stroke patients. To be chosen to represent that group is very special indeed. I got a lot of support and understanding from my family and I really have to thank my mum, wife and daughter too.”

Dr Andole is also supporting the Stroke Association’s Christmas appeal, ‘I am more than my stroke’. The appeal raises money so the charity can help more stroke survivors live with the impact of their stroke.Visit stroke.org.uk/iammore to make a donation.

Watch a short of video of Dr Andole’s work at www.stroke.org.uk/lasa