Kev Johns brings smiles to Chemotherapy patients

The visit formed part of Kev’s promotional tour ahead of this year’s Swansea Grand Theatre pantomime, Aladdin, which runs from 6th December to 4th January, where he’ll take to the stage as the ever-fabulous Mona Manky. But beyond the bright costumes and big laughs, Kev’s visit carried a far deeper meaning.

As an ambassador for Swansea Bay Health Charity’s Going the Extra Mile for Cancer Appeal, Kev’s connection to Ward 9 is deeply personal. Having been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer four years ago, he has undergone 42 treatments and continues to receive monthly immunotherapy at Singleton Hospital. Now thriving and full of gratitude, he remains passionate about supporting those on their own cancer journeys – and the incredible staff who care for them.

“I just like to say thank you,” said Kev.

“If I can bring a bit of cheer to the faces of the staff who work incredibly hard on Ward 9 – to whom I am indebted for the care, treatment, and support they give me – then I’m happy. I love them to bits. They are the most incredible people, from Mary at reception to all the staff in various rooms”.

Kev’s visit was filled with touching moments. One patient called Peter, joined by his wife, became emotional after a difficult few weeks, later sharing that the surprise visit had brightened their day. Another special moment came when Heather Pickford, who had just completed her treatment for breast cancer, rang the milestone bell alongside Kev to celebrate her final chemotherapy session.

Reflecting on the day, Kev said:

“I know exactly what patients are going through. I’ve sat in those chairs myself through various stages of my own cancer journey.”

“I am very aware of what is going on, so if I saw somebody who I thought maybe it’s not a good day to do this today, then I wouldn’t. I’m very much guided by the staff. This is my way of supporting an incredible part of the Swansea Bay University Health Board and the charity which I have great affection for and great gratitude for”.

As someone who has turned his personal battle into a message of hope, Kev continues to use his platform to raise awareness and encourage fundraising for the Going the Extra Mile for Cancer Appeal – a campaign that helps improve facilities, comfort, and support for cancer patients across Swansea Bay.

“I had a message from one fella who said ‘you went to see my mother today and you put a much-needed smile on her face,’ so that made me think that maybe what we’re doing is a good thing,” Kev added.

Kev’s visit was a reminder that kindness, humour and hope can go a long way in lifting spirits – especially in places where courage is found every day.

If you’d like to see Kev’s Mona Manky performance in Aladdin at Swansea Grand Theatre from 6th December, tickets are available here.

[Lead image: Swansea Bay University Health Board]

#kevinJohns #swanseaBayNhs #swanseaBayUniversityHealthBoard

Swansea support worker honoured with national award for helping rare cancer patients

Lucy Whiddett, 40, won the Sarcoma Healthcare Professional Innovation and Excellence Award at Sarcoma UK’s Shining Star ceremony, held at Tower Bridge in London last week.

Lucy has worked as a sarcoma support worker since 2019, becoming a vital lifeline for patients and families facing the disease. Sarcomas are uncommon cancers that can develop in muscle, bone, tendons, blood vessels and fatty tissues, with around 100 different subtypes. Around 15 people are diagnosed with sarcoma every day across the UK.

“I love this job. I feel very privileged to be able to help people at such a difficult time in their lives and make things a little easier,” Lucy said. “I now can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Supporting patients from diagnosis onwards

Lucy is often the first point of contact for newly diagnosed patients, offering phone guidance, signposting to services and making direct referrals. She has also helped create a digital noticeboard giving patients instant access to information about their diagnosis, and organised engagement events to bring patients together.

Remarkably, Lucy had never heard of sarcoma before applying for the role.

“I had worked in community care, but I wanted a change and saw the job, then I looked into it,” she explained.

Her impact has extended beyond Swansea Bay. Lucy helped establish a national group for sarcoma support workers, meeting regularly online to share expertise and hear from specialists.

National recognition

With around 5,300 people diagnosed with sarcoma annually in the UK, Lucy’s work ensures patients have a positive experience throughout their treatment journey.

Sam Hackett, Sarcoma UK’s Healthcare Professional Engagement Lead, said:

“Many patients have never heard of sarcoma before their diagnosis, which makes Lucy’s role so vital. She provides that crucial human connection and support when people need it most. Lucy’s commitment to excellence in her role has undoubtedly made a real difference to many patients and families and we are really happy to be able to recognise her work in this way.”

#award #cancer #communityCare #sarcoma #sarcomaUk #swansea #swanseaBayUniversityHealthBoard

Health board says pioneering hospital solar farm saves £4m as Welsh Government unveils greener NHS plan

Swansea Bay University Health Board said Morriston Hospital’s solar farm at Brynwhilach Farm has generated enough electricity to power a third of the site since it switched on in October 2021. The health board said the project has saved £4.3m in bills and sold excess power back to the grid, helping reduce costs and the hospital’s carbon footprint.

The site now has 12,000 panels and a new battery system, allowing excess power to be stored during daylight hours and used after sunset. The extension, funded by a £3.6m “invest to save” grant from Welsh Government, went live in April 2024.

Beverley Radford, Compliance Manager at Swansea Bay University Health Board, said:

“The success of the solar farm underlines and affirms the health board’s initiative to take action more than four years ago. It has proved a hugely successful project so far, delivering significant savings for the health board.”

Welsh Government sets out greener NHS plan

The announcement comes as the Welsh Government publishes its refreshed NHS Wales Decarbonisation Strategic Delivery Plan during Wales Climate Week. Ministers said the roadmap sets out how the health service will reach Net Zero by 2050, focusing on energy efficiency, renewable power, sustainable travel and waste reduction.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles said:

“We are striving for a more sustainable health system, which will reduce its impact on the environment and provide wider benefits to public health.”

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s Green ICU Team has already cut plastic waste by around two tonnes a year and saved tens of thousands of pounds. Its “Their Gloves Off” campaign is on track to save £15,000 and nearly half a million gloves this year.

Dr Jack Parry‑Jones, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine, said:

“We are trying to preserve a world – a Wales worth surviving for and living in. Our adopted mantra is people, planet and profit.”

Opposition parties criticise priorities

Opposition parties have criticised the plan, arguing ministers should focus on waiting lists. A Reform UK Wales spokesperson said:

“It is absurd that the Welsh Government is allocating time and resources to bringing down emissions in our NHS, when they can barely bring down waiting lists.”

James Evans MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Secretary, said:

“Labour’s warped priorities for Wales are once again on full display. In typical fashion, Labour Ministers are prioritising a ‘net zero NHS’ over cutting waiting lists.”

What it means locally

The health board said sustainability projects like the solar farm are already delivering real benefits, freeing up resources that can be reinvested in patient care. Ministers argue greener healthcare will also improve public health by cutting pollution and supporting healthier communities.

#GreenNHS #MorristonHospital #NHSWalesDecarbonisationStrategicDeliveryPlan #solarPanels #Swansea #SwanseaBayUniversityHealthBoard #WelshGovernment

Swansea Parkinson’s patient gets back into his stride thanks to pioneering trial

Back on his feet in Gower

Malcolm Sims, 75, from Kittle, Gower, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s after friends noticed he was struggling to keep up on walks. His left leg was dragging and his stride had shortened, leaving him unsteady and anxious about falls.

Now, thanks to the STEPS II trial at Swansea Bay University Health Board’s Rehabilitation Engineering Unit, Malcolm is back enjoying long walks with friends.

The trial uses Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) – small electrical pads attached to the leg, linked to a switch in the heel of the shoe. Each time Malcolm takes a stride, the switch triggers the pads to stimulate the muscles, helping him walk more smoothly.

“It’s made such a difference, I’m back doing the things I enjoy and I feel more confident and steady on my feet,” said Malcolm.

“The faults my friend could see aren’t there any more, I keep up with them and I can walk miles.”

A simple idea with big impact

Malcolm says the device stops him experiencing “sticky foot” – when muscles fail to respond and the foot gets stuck. Even when he forgot the device on a trip away, the muscle memory it had created helped him keep walking confidently.

“I’m now getting on with life, using the device. I’m so glad I got involved with the trial and so grateful to the staff who have supported me,” he said.

Potential to transform care

The STEPS II study builds on earlier research showing FES can improve walking speed, reduce falls and boost confidence. Around 60 per cent of people with Parkinson’s suffer at least one fall a year, costing the NHS an estimated £2.3bn annually.

Dr Lorna Tasker, Consultant Clinical Scientist and Head of Rehabilitation Engineering at Swansea Bay UHB, said:

“We are delighted to see these promising results from using FES at this very early stage of the trial. The outcome will help shape future FES provision within Parkinson’s care.”

The trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and led by Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, with more than 200 participants across eight UK sites. Results are expected in 2027.

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#FunctionalElectricalStimulation #Gower #HealthTrial #Kittle #NationalInstituteForHealthAndCareResearch #NICE #ParkinsonS #RehabilitationEngineering #Swansea #SwanseaBayUniversityHealthBoard

Historic building given new lease of life as GP practice opens its doors

The city centre Phillips Parade site was built in the early 1800s and was originally home to Swansea General and Eye Hospital.

It went on to become a children’s orthopaedic centre and, more recently, a training centre used by the health board’s resuscitation and manual handling teams.

Now, Brunswick Health Centre, previously based on nearby St Helen’s Road for more than 40 years has relocated to the Phillips Parade site.

Pictured: Brunswick Health Centre staff, including Dr Richard Beynon and Dr Helen Locking.

Owners and GP partners Dr Helen Locking and Dr Richard Beynon made the decision to invest in the building, as their original premises was leased and needed extensive refurbishment.

“Our previous practice needed to be refurbished, and it was felt that the best option was to find a new location,” Dr Beynon said.

“We needed to find somewhere that was close to the original surgery for patients.

“Luckily the health board was able to sell the Phillips Parade site.”

While extensive work has been undertaken to refurbish the building into a modern practice, the GP partners wanted to ensure the historic building was also respected and protected.

Pictured: A plaque from the Eye Hospital still features in the waiting area.

Dr Beynon added: “Despite being a modern GP practice, we have managed to preserve the character and charm of the old hospital.

“We have also kept certain fittings, for instance, a plaque from the Eye Hospital that is on display in the new waiting area.

“The rooms are bigger and more appropriate for healthcare use. We now have better disabled facilities and a pleasant environment in which to see patients.”

The partners worked hard with their contractors Andrew Evans Painting Contractors and LA Alarms to complete the project on time.

Dr Locking said: “Everyone involved over the last six months has been excellent and we are extremely grateful to them for all their hard work.

“We are a well-established training practice and have a reputation for providing excellent access and care to our patients. Our new home will ensure we continue with that tradition.”

The manual handling and resuscitation teams have relocated to Ward 8 in Singleton Hospital.

Martin Thomas, strategic manual handling advisor, is part of the team and is also the heritage lead for the health board’s Arts and Heritage in Health Group.

“A new, bigger hospital was built in 1863 and the plans for the building were even sent to Florence Nightingale,” Martin said.

“Her architect looked at them and they came back with one minor change. Florence even contributed £25 towards the building work.

“The hospital was completed in 1878 and in 1899 the Eye Hospital was added.

“We also know that Edith Cavell, a famous nurse during the First World War, applied to work at the hospital on two separate occasions in 1902 and 1910.

“From the late 1960s, the hospital’s use became limited as Singleton Hospital was operational, but it was used as a children’s orthopaedic centre until this relocated to Hafan y Mor in Singleton.”

Pictured: A historic photograph of the site.

Brunswick Health Centre, which sits within City Health Local Cluster Collaborative, has now settled into its new home. The practice’s appointment system and telephone number remain the same.

The new site has parking for more than 30 vehicles and is well connected to local bus routes.

“The move went well with no disruption to services,” Dr Beynon added.

“Patients can expect the same high standard of care but in a more modern and appropriate environment.”

[Lead image: Swansea Bay University Health Board]

#BrunswickHealthCentre #PhillipsParade #SwanseaBayUniversityHealthBoard #SwanseaEyeHospital

Long-serving Swansea NHS healthcare professional signs off with lifetime achievement award

Miss Sheryl Morris, Senior Chief Cardiorespiratory Physiologist, who recently retired from SBUHB after more than 45 years of service at Singleton Hospital’s Cardiology Department, now holds a British Society of Echocardiography Lifetime Achievement Award.

The British Society of Echocardiography presents the Lifetime Achievement Award annually to recognise members who have contributed significantly, and demonstrated outstanding achievements and longevity, within the field of echocardiography.

Dr Geraint Morris, Consultant Paediatrician and Clinical Apprenticeship Lead and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Swansea University Medical School, said:

Sheryl had been widely acknowledged as “an expert” in her field who had always gone “above and beyond” to do an “immeasurably large amount of good” for those in her care, stating he couldn’t think of anyone more “deserving” of the award, labelling it “a fitting gesture to mark the end of a career of which she can be extremely proud.”

“I can’t imagine that anyone deserves this more than she does, and we think this will be a fitting gesture to mark the end of a career of which she can be extremely proud, and during which she did an immeasurably large amount of good to the children, young people, and families under her care.

“Sheryl worked tirelessly as an NHS Cardiorespiratory Physiologist in Swansea for more than 45 years and developed expertise in paediatric echocardiography.

“She trained in Swansea and in Cardiff and started offering a paediatric echocardiography service in the late 1990s. Since then, Sheryl has been widely acknowledged as an expert in this skill among local and tertiary paediatric cardiology colleagues.

“Sheryl has always gone above and beyond in her post, from providing biscuits and refreshments for clinical colleagues in outpatient clinics, to staying on, well beyond her working hours, to ensure children who require urgent investigations get them, and acting, in many instances, as a conduit between clinical teams.

“It would be impossible to adequately assess the magnitude of the amassed hours that Sheryl has put into her job – finishing reports, replying to emails, and preparing for clinics, often alone in the department, when others have long gone home. Suffice to say that it has not gone unnoticed and her colleagues of all grades and disciplines are very grateful to her.

“Despite some significant health problems, Sheryl has seldom had any time off work. She is extremely resilient, and her dogged determination to complete all her duties to a high standard has never left a task unfinished. She has always, imperceptibly, booked annual leave to ‘suit’ the clinical work and has never begrudged the additional burden that this must have placed on her personal life.”

Dr Morris praised Sheryl for being a constant within the service over the years.

He said: “During times of rapid changes in healthcare, including transitions between clinicians, Sheryl is the one constant that her young patients have been able to recognise and expect to see in their hospital visits, from infancy to adulthood. Often patients, when explaining their histories, will address her, not so much the clinician in the room!”

Her contribution to the children’s service was recognised in the Health Board’s Chairman’s Awards Ceremony on 5th July 2018 with a Highly Commended award in recognition of her outstanding work.

Sheryl also played a role in shaping future careers.

Dr Morris said: “With the high number of young paediatric trainees who worked in the paediatric and neonatal services at Swansea, inevitably some developed an interest in paediatric cardiology and Sheryl was instrumental in teaching them echocardiography, and many of these have gone on to become consultants in various parts of the world, retaining the skills that Sheryl taught them.

“More recently, Sheryl has taught all our current excellent team of paediatric physiologists, from beginner level through to passing their European Accreditation Examination in paediatric echocardiography.”

Dr Morris added that Sheryl had proved to be the ‘model’ work colleague over the years.

He said: “On top of all her work-related achievements, she has been an extremely pleasant and agreeable colleague – she has never said a word in anger. She can be firm when needed but never crossed that professional line with her own feelings or views. Indeed, she has always been very cheerful, and her lovely smile has an uplifting effect on all around her.”

The award came out of the blue for Sheryl.

She said: “Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award was a total surprise.

“I have been fortunate to have had a career that I have thoroughly enjoyed-particularly echocardiography. I have a lot of people to thank over the years for getting me to this point – too many to mention.

“I particularly want to thank all my colleagues who took the time to nominate me for this award as they thought I was deserving of it. I am truly overwhelmed and touched.

“This is the ‘icing on the cake’ of my career. Thank you so much. Diolch yn fawr!”

[Lead image: Swansea Bay University Health Board]

#BritishSociety #cardiology #Echocardiography #SingletonHospital #SwanseaBayNHS #SwanseaBayUniversityHealthBoard

Brothers rally to raise £3,000 after mum’s breast cancer diagnosis

When single mum Meinir Morgan sat her four teenage sons down just before Christmas to tell them she had breast cancer, she described it as the worst day of her life.

“I broke four hearts that day,” she said. “As their only constant, for me to have cancer wrecked their worlds.”

Meinir, from Birchgrove, had discovered a lump while on holiday in Florida. Within days of returning home she was seen at Singleton Hospital’s Breast Care Unit and, after a series of tests, was diagnosed with HER2+ cancer.

Treatment began on New Year’s Day: four months of chemotherapy, followed by surgery, radiotherapy and a year‑long course of immunotherapy. The side‑effects were brutal. “Chemo was rough, and I was hospitalised twice,” she recalled. “It was so hard on the boys to see me so ill. I lost my hair, but we made light of it with jokes about wigs and colours.”

A teenage response to heartbreak

For Lewis (18), Rhys (17), Ioan (15) and Iestyn (13), the news was devastating — but their response was immediate.

“It was almost instant,” said Lewis. “We thought, we’ve just got to crack on. The best way to support Mum was to raise money for the people taking care of her.”

With the backing of their school, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe, the brothers organised a bake sale, joined the Race for Life 5k, and hosted an afternoon tea. They also set up a JustGiving page, nervously setting a £500 target.

They needn’t have worried. Donations poured in, and by the end they had raised £3,150.

Giving back to those who cared

Earlier this month, the family returned to Singleton Hospital to hand over cheques of £1,500 each to the Chemotherapy Day Unit and the Breast Care Unit. The remaining £150 went to Cancer Research UK.

Meinir said she was “immensely proud” of her sons:

“When they were facing the worst news and scared of what the future held, they decided this was a positive focus for them — all while sitting A‑levels and GCSEs. It’s been the most challenging year, but they have been awesome.”

Community pride

Cathy Stevens, community support officer for Swansea Bay Health Charity, praised the boys’ determination:

“Throughout the entire journey, they kept their mum at the heart of everything they did. The result is a truly amazing achievement. Da iawn.”

For Meinir, the fundraising has been more than just money raised. It has given her sons a way to channel their fear into something positive. “They’ve been surrounded by great friends and support from the school,” she said. “I couldn’t be prouder.”

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#Birchgrove #BreastCancer #breastCancerFundraising #BreastCareUnit #Cancer #CancerResearchUK #Chemotherapy #ChemotherapyDayUnit #fundraising #immunotherapy #Radiotherapy #SingletonHospital #SwanseaBayHealthCharity #SwanseaBayUniversityHealthBoard #YsgolGyfunBrynTawe

£14 million Singleton Hospital development to transform cancer diagnoses

New home for PET‑CT scanning

Since 2020, highly specialised PET‑CT scanning has been available at Singleton, sparing patients in the Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda health board areas from travelling to Cardiff.

A PET‑CT scan combines computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) to provide highly detailed images. It can detect cancers and other diseases that may not appear on other scans, assess the size and spread of tumours, and show how well treatment is working.

Until now, the service has been delivered from a mobile unit, limiting the range of scans and the number of days it can operate.

Expanded services and seven‑day scanning

The new purpose‑built facility, funded by the Welsh Government as part of its all‑Wales PET‑CT programme, will allow Singleton to expand its services significantly.

Professor Neil Hartman, Swansea Bay’s Head of Nuclear Medicine, said:

“For the first time we will be able to do paediatric PET scanning. We will be able to do scanning under general anaesthetic, and brain scanning, which we are not able to do at the moment. And we will be able to do seven‑day‑a‑week scanning if we so wish.”

Part of a national programme

The Welsh Government’s PET‑CT programme aims to establish four static scanners across Wales within the next decade — in Swansea, Velindre, North Wales, and a fourth location yet to be confirmed.

Construction at Singleton, led by contractor Tilbury Douglas, is expected to be completed by autumn 2026. Equipment installation will follow, with the first patients due to be scanned in early 2027.

Designed with patients in mind

The new building, located at the north end of the hospital site, will include six uptake rooms for patient preparation, a general anaesthesia room, and dedicated waiting and post‑screening areas. It has been carefully designed to avoid disrupting existing services and to protect established trees on the site.

Christine Morrell, Swansea Bay’s Director of Allied Health Professionals and Health Science, said:

“Our capacity and capability on the mobile unit were not giving us what we needed in terms of the population. We are looking forward to it being built and to being able to expand our services.”

‘Much‑needed development’

Swansea Bay University Health Board Chair, Jan Williams, said she and Hywel Dda Chair Neil Wooding were delighted to see work begin:

“This is an exciting development which is much needed for the population of South West Wales. It will give the expert staff who provide such excellent care the opportunity to enhance their service even further.”

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#Cancer #cancerDiagnosis #ChristineMorrell #DannyFlynn #groundbreaking #HywelDda #JanWilliams #NeilHartman #NHSWales #PETCT #SingletonHospital #Swansea #SwanseaBayUniversityHealthBoard #WelshGovernment

£300k of sweets and fizzy drinks sold in Swansea Bay hospitals, FOI reveals

The figures show Swansea Bay’s hospitals generated more than £153,000 profit from the sales, up from £141,925 the previous year.

Hospital kiosks made six‑figure profits from junk food sales

The FOI shows a year‑on‑year increase in both sales and profit from confectionery and sugary drinks across Swansea Bay University Health Board sites. The gross profit margin averaged around 48%.

The findings come against a backdrop of rising obesity and type 2 diabetes rates in Wales, with public health campaigns urging people to cut down on sugar.

Freelance journalist uncovers FOI data across NHS sites

The figures were obtained by freelance investigative journalist George Winter, who has been examining junk food sales across NHS sites in Wales and the wider UK.

“This expenditure at a time of soaring rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity is scandalous and Swansea Bay UHB should justify their spending on junk food,” he said.

Doctors call for healthier hospital food environments

The British Medical Association has previously urged NHS hospitals to phase out vending machines selling high‑sugar products.

“Hospitals should be setting an example, not selling products that contribute to obesity and diabetes,” the BMA said.

Health Board response

Swansea Bay University Health Board was invited to respond to this article, however after over a week they were unable to provide an approved statement.

At a glance: Swansea Bay hospital junk food sales

• 💷 2023/24 sales: £295,677 → £141,925 profit
• 💷 2024/25 sales: £318,891 → £153,068 profit
• 📈 Profit margin: 48%
• ⚠️ Context: Rising obesity and type 2 diabetes rates in Wales

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#BritishMedicalAssociation #FOI #hospitalFood #junkFood #MorristonHospital #NeathPortTalbot #NeathPortTalbotHospital #obesity #SingletonHospital #Swansea #SwanseaBayUniversityHealthBoard #Type2Diabetes

Swansea experts awarded £1.2 million for test that could transform stroke care

The three‑year project, led by Swansea University Medical School in partnership with Swansea Bay University Health Board and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), aims to create the first accurate test to measure how blood clots break down.

Tackling a leading cause of death

Stroke remains the fourth leading cause of death in Wales. Current treatment involves administering powerful clot‑busting drugs, but doctors have no precise way of knowing the right dose for each patient.

Professor Karl Hawkins, who is leading the project, explained:

“A blood clot will form to stop bleeding, and eventually the body dissolves it. That process is called fibrinolysis. At the moment there is no accurate technique to quantify this process. Our approach, using rheology, allows us to pinpoint the exact moment a clot breaks down.”

Safer, more personalised treatment

The team hopes the test will act as a biomarker, helping clinicians predict how well clot‑busting drugs will work for individual patients. That could reduce the risk of dangerous side‑effects such as bleeding, while ensuring patients receive the most effective treatment.

Dr Suresh Pillai, Director of the Welsh Centre for Emergency Medicine Research at Morriston Hospital, said:

“These drugs cost around £600 a time and must be given within four and a half hours of symptoms. But every patient is different. We don’t know if we are over‑dosing or under‑dosing. If this test works, it would be groundbreaking. It would have a huge impact on how we manage patients.”

International collaboration

The project will draw on expertise from Swansea University’s Complex Fluids Research Group and MIT’s Professor Gareth McKinley. Initial work will test blood samples from healthy volunteers before moving to stroke patients at Morriston Hospital.

The aim is to develop a single test that can measure both clot formation and breakdown, paving the way for pharmaceutical companies to design safer, more effective medicines.

Looking to the future

Dr Pillai added that in the longer term, the test could even allow clot‑busting drugs to be given in the community rather than waiting for hospital admission.

“Every second matters in stroke care. If we can bring treatment closer to patients, the benefits for survival and recovery could be enormous.”

The £1.2 million funding has been awarded by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

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#bloodClot #MassachusettsInstituteOfTechnology #MIT #MorristonHospital #Stroke #StrokeResearch #Swansea #SwanseaBayUniversityHealthBoard #SwanseaMedicalSchool #SwanseaUniversity #WelshCentreForEmergencyMedicineResearch