The Bermuda Hospitals Board’s Primary Stroke Centre has been granted an international award for its quality of service

Accreditation Canada gave the centre its Stroke Distinction Award after a series of interviews with BHB staff, stroke patients and their families.

Michael Richmond, BHB CEO and president, said they were delighted to receive the distinction certification.

Dr Richmond added: “This is outstanding as our centre opened less than four years ago.

“It reflects the world-class expertise of our staff who achieved this while navigating the unique and challenging stresses of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Stroke distinction certification is the highest commendation a Stroke Centre can receive in the Accreditation Canada system and aligns with BHB’s vision to pursue excellence through improvement, to make Bermuda proud.”

The final report highlighted several “areas of success” at the centre, praising the leadership and organisational support; knowledgable and committed staff; community partnerships; public communication about strokes; and collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine International.

Francene Gayle, BHB medical stroke director, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic definitely presented us with unexpected challenges but we forged ahead to achieve and, in some cases, surpass our targeted goals.

“We are especially thrilled to have developed novel stroke systems of care, which can become models for other community hospitals around the world.”

Victor Urrutia, director of the Johns Hopkins Hospitals’ Comprehensive Stroke Centre, said it had been a pleasure to collaborate with the BHB to create the local centre.

Dr Urrutia added: “This truly demonstrates BHB's commitment to a higher standard of clinical service for stroke care.

“Their cohesive team and consistent approaches are now certified, to the benefit of patients across the island.”