The medical nurse practitioner's role in early stroke recognition

Stroke is one of the world's major health care problems and begins as an acute medical emergency. To ensure the best outcomes, stroke services should comprise an identified stroke unit with a dedicated multidisciplinary team of specialist staff working within agreed protocols. The medical nurse practitioner's intervention at the assessment stage for patients admitted to A&E with stroke should provide a more timely and appropriate referral in order to access stroke beds directly.