Stroke services at Northwick Park Hospital have been named as joint first in the country, according to figures released by a national audit.

Findings from the 2016 Acute Organisational Audit have rated the London North West Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH), at the top for stroke care. Barts Health NHS Trust, also achieved top marks.

Northwick Park Hospital, in Watford Road, is home to one of eight Hyper Acute Stroke Units in London and is one of the busiest in the country, treating more than 1,500 patients a year.

The Comprehensive Stroke Unit achieved the highest possible rating of ten out of ten.

The audit, produced by the Royal College of Physicians, measured how stroke services are organised and accessed in 178 hospitals based on 10 key indicators.

These cover aspects including specialist staffing and workforce planning, 7-day working, patient and carer engagement and access to specialist treatment and support such as early supported discharge.

Dr David Cohen, lead consultant for stroke at LNWH, attributed the hospital’s success to the collaborative working of dedicated and hardworking staff. He said: “We are truly delighted that our stroke services have been shown to provide the very highest standards of patient care in the country.

“This success is testament to the amazing teamwork and dedication shown by all staff across a range of disciplines, on the unit and in the community. The entire team are relentless in their focus and commitment to provide the very best care to our patients in the most appropriate setting.

“As one of the largest integrated healthcare trusts in the country, we are uniquely placed to be able to provide care for stroke patients from the point they are admitted, through to discharge and onto rehabilitation in their own homes.”

Dr Cohen added: “Our ‘door to needle’ time, the length of time it takes to provide patients with clot-busting drug treatment following a stroke is less than 30 minutes. This is one of the best in the country and comparable with the top performing hospitals worldwide. This timely and efficient intervention dramatically reduces the risk of disability and gives stroke patients a better chance of long-term recovery.”