A new video triage system in the South West set to improve stroke care for patients.
The technology, known as Pre-Hospital Video Triage (PVT), will be rolled out across Somerset and Dorset to support ambulance clinicians in assessing suspected stroke patients in real time by connecting them via video link to hospital-based stroke specialists.
Adam Dance, the Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil, has welcomed the project, describing it as a step forward in improving urgent care.
Mr Dance said NHS Somerset's announcement is "a win for people across Yeovil and South Somerset.
"Since being elected, I have been pushing for us to bring down travel, diagnosis and treatment times.
"This is especially important when someone is having a stroke, because every second counts.
"But too often Somerset misses out on investment and new technologies that would allow us to improve health services.
"PVT is a fantastic innovation that will ensure patients in Somerset get access to expert clinical advice to determine what treatment they need and where they need to go to get it."
The system allows hospital teams to begin preparing for essential scans such as CT and MRI before the patient arrives, helping to speed up diagnosis and treatment.
Initial trials in Dorset found that PVT helped get patients to the right care setting more efficiently.
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In some cases, the technology helped rule out a stroke during the call, allowing patients to stay at home.
However, the introduction of PVT comes as concerns continue over the centralisation of emergency stroke care in Somerset and Dorset.
Plans include closing Yeovil District Hospital’s Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) and opening two 24/7 HASUs in Taunton and Dorchester on Wednesday, September 9.
Mr Dance said: "I do still have concerns about the impact the closure of the HASU could have on patient outcomes.
"But my hope is that PVT will help mitigate the increased travel times hyperacute stroke patients may face when having to travel from Yeovil to either Taunton or Dorchester Hospital."
He also recently visited the refurbished Acute Stroke Unit at Yeovil District Hospital, which will see new beds and a new recovery service.
Mr Dance said he would continue to advocate for high-quality NHS care in the area.
He said: "I will continue to push local NHS leaders and the government to carefully monitor changes to stroke services in our area, and I will fight for the best possible NHS services for Yeovil constituents."
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