Cutting-edge stroke diagnosis technology benefits from co-location in ASB

UNSW will open a stroke telehealth research space alongside clinical units in new Prince of Wales Acute Services Building in 2024.

In the integrated eastern extension of the Acute Services Building (ASB), UNSW will house state-of-the-art research, clinical, biomedical and teaching facilities across 10 floors and approximately 5000 square metres. The University will offer a range of education and research activities aligned to the hospital’s Clinical Neurosciences and Acute Stroke units on Level 8 of the new development.

Professor Ken Butcher’s stroke and telehealth research program will be one activity benefitting from the new space, as his team scales up work in neurosciences, stroke and stroke imaging. Being attached to the clinical neurosciences and acute stroke floor means that researchers can closely assess clinical research and interventions more efficiently, benefiting patient’s health outcomes.

Researchers will be able to access a new Hyperfine low-field MRI – a portable MRI that can move to patients’ bedsides at the point of care, plug into a standard electrical outlet, and acquire critical neuroimages within minutes.

“By co-locating our research program alongside the hospital’s Clinical Neurosciences and Acute Stroke units, we’ll be able to work together to enhance patient care,” said Prof. Butcher.

“Together, we’ll develop new models of care, and hospital clinicians can deliver better outcomes for patients by harnessing cutting-edge technology like the hyperfine MRI. Even more excitingly, we will amplify our findings and deliver better outcomes for patients irrespective of location through the NSW Telestroke Service.”

Prof. Butcher is Medical Director of NSW Telestroke Service and Director of Clinical Neuroscience at UNSW’s School of Clinical Medicine. His research, as part of a $21.7 million NSW Telestroke Service, has made a huge difference for more than 3000 patients who suffered a stroke in rural and regional NSW.

The NSW Telestroke Service partners with 23 rural and regional hospitals by bringing expert medical care more quickly to people who suffer strokes. It provides 24/7 access to life-saving stroke diagnoses and treatment, connecting patients and local doctors with a network of specialist stroke physicians via video consultation, managed by the Prince of Wales Hospital.

UNSW’s Integrated Acute Services Building will open in mid 2024.