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A new Acute Stroke Unit (ASU) and Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) has opened in Kent.

The new HASU at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford is the second of three specialist units to open in Kent and Medway.

It will offer care for more than 800 stroke patients a year, serving the population of Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and parts of Medway and Bexley.

The hospital's clinical lead, Prasanna Aghoram said patients "will receive consistently high-quality care, regardless of where they live in the region, or what time of the day or night their stroke occurs".

The new unit will provide capacity for up to 14 HASU beds and 22 ASU beds

It has six neuro inpatients and four beds dedicated to a planned Stroke Assessment Bay, where 90% of suspected stroke admissions will be directly brought in on arrival at the hospital.

The NHS said: "This means patients receive their critical diagnostics within the ‘golden hour’ and can quickly receive the care they need in the right place at the right time."

The unit also has new and improved dedicated rehabilitation areas to support patient recovery through physiotherapy and activities.

The Stroke Unit activity at Dartford has increased from 482 strokes in 2017 to 637 strokes in 2022.

Once the HASU officially opens, it is expected a further 200 strokes will attend via London Ambulance Service.