THE life-saving mobile stroke ambulance looks set to be scrapped.

The stroke unit, which allows specialists to travel to a suspected victim to diagnose and treat them while travelling to hospital, was first launched in the spring. The German ambulance was recently modified so it could work even more effectively on UK roads.

But now it looks like it’ll be sent back abroad when its trial period ends next month.

It is believed NHS plans to have a hyper acute stroke unit at Basildon may be influencing the impending decision.

Rochford District councillor Julie Gooding, a governor at Southend Hospital’s Trust, has felt compelled to speak out.

She said: “I have been told that from December the programme will no longer continue.

“But the statistics speak for themselves. I’m told 56 patients were treated in just 26 days. This alleviated pressure on A&E.

“There’s no going to A&E first and no triage so it is saving vital hospital resources too.

“In addition, quite a lot of patients were able to be treated in their own homes.”

The Hawkwell West Conservative councillor was going to fund-raise for the ambulance, but was advised not to and did so for Southend’s Hospital’s Stroke Unit instead.

She continued: “The team can get to a patient from getting the call within 16 minutes and deal with patients straight away. For me it’s a no brainer, it should continue. Southend has more stroke patients than Basildon. I am calling for additional fundraising to be able to continue the trial project further than the end of December.

“If the hospital CCG continue using this asset to help get the NHS through the Winter crisis it would be a blessing and possibly improving outcomes and save lives .

“It reduces use of hospital resources by a third of patients being treated at home and 88 per cent of patients treated by the ambulance are admitted directly to the stroke unit.”

Despite the project being launched to great fanfare by Professor Iris Grunwald and lead stroke consultant Paul Guyler earlier this year the hospital has declined to give further information about its progress.

Neil Rothnie, medical director at Southend Hospital, said: “While we are grateful that the team have been given the opportunity to test the on-loan Mobile Stroke Unit and that patients are having positive experiences, this is a continuation of the project that began in April for the purpose of gathering data on the impact of the Mobile Stroke Unit on patient care and outcomes. Until the data is analysed we won’t be in a position to share the success of the project, but are pleased that patients have said they benefited from the service whilst it is being tested. It would be premature to talk about the project’s success prior to its data being being fully evaluated.”

One member of the stroke team recently tweeted: “Proud to be part of this amazing team@MSUEssex. Arrival on scene to thombylisis in 16 mins. This is the second fastest in the world.”