A stroke is a medical emergency: call 999 if you notice signs such as a face drooping on one side, weakness in one arm or slurred speech. Treatment in the first hours may include medicine to dissolve a blood clot (thrombolysis) or a procedure to remove it (thrombectomy).
Ambulances take people with a suspected stroke to a hospital with a specialist stroke unit. In some areas this is a hyperacute stroke unit (HASU) for the first days, followed by a stroke unit closer to home. The Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) gives every team a level from A to E each quarter, based on how well it meets national standards.
Hospitals in the North West
23 stroke teams in the North West with published figures. Sorted by name. This is not a ranking: read how to read this first.
| Stroke team | Volume bandStroke patients, January to March 2026 (SSNAP) | Key outcomeSSNAP level (A to E) | Waiting timeWhole trust | Patient experience | CQC rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrowe Park HospitalStroke team · NHS · Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 150 to 249167 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 42.5 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Arrowe Park Hospital) |
| Blackpool Victoria HospitalStroke team · NHS · Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 75 to 149143 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 40.4 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Blackpool Victoria Hospital) |
| The Countess of Chester HospitalStroke team · NHS · Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 75 to 149139 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 52.5 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for The Countess of Chester Hospital) |
| Cumberland InfirmaryStroke team · NHS · North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust | 75 to 149148 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 42.9 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Cumberland Infirmary) |
| Fairfield General HospitalStroke team · NHS · Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | 250 or more270 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level CScore 60 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | No Approved Rating (CQC report for Fairfield General Hospital) |
| Furness General HospitalStroke team · NHS · University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust | Fewer than 7556 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 58.8 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Furness General Hospital) |
| Leighton HospitalStroke team · NHS · Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 75 to 149149 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level EScore 22.6 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Leighton Hospital) |
| Manchester Royal InfirmaryStroke team · NHS · Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | Fewer than 7559 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 43.6 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Manchester Royal Infirmary) |
| Royal Albert Edward InfirmaryStroke team · NHS · Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Fewer than 7569 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 50 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Royal Albert Edward Infirmary) |
| Royal Blackburn HospitalStroke team · NHS · East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | 150 to 249235 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 56.2 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Royal Blackburn Hospital) |
| Royal Bolton HospitalStroke team · NHS · Bolton NHS Foundation Trust | Fewer than 7571 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 55.9 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | Somewhat worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Royal Bolton Hospital) |
| Royal Lancaster InfirmaryStroke team · NHS · University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust | 75 to 149134 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level EScore 33.8 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Royal Lancaster Infirmary) |
| Royal Preston HospitalStroke team · NHS · Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 150 to 249232 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 56.2 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | Worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.7 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Royal Preston Hospital) |
| Salford Royal HospitalStroke team · NHS · Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | 250 or more464 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level BScore 70 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Salford Royal Hospital) |
| Southport and Formby District General HospitalStroke team · NHS · Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | Fewer than 7556 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 49 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Southport and Formby District General Hospital) |
| Stepping Hill HospitalStroke team · NHS · Stockport NHS Foundation Trust | 250 or more346 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level BScore 77.5 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Stepping Hill Hospital) |
| Tameside General HospitalStroke team · NHS · Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust | Fewer than 7574 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 51.5 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Tameside General Hospital) |
| Trafford General HospitalStroke team · NHS · Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | Fewer than 7564 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level BScore 70.2 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Trafford General Hospital) |
| University Hospital AintreeStroke team · NHS · Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 250 or more359 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level BScore 70 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for University Hospital Aintree) |
| Warrington HospitalStroke team · NHS · Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Fewer than 7555 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 47.5 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Warrington Hospital) |
| West Cumberland HospitalStroke team · NHS · North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust | Fewer than 7527 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level DScore 43.9 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for West Cumberland Hospital) |
| Whiston HospitalHyperacute stroke unit · NHS · Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | 250 or more285 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level BScore 78.8 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Not Rated (CQC report for Whiston Hospital) |
| Whiston HospitalStroke unit · NHS · Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | 75 to 14995 stroke patients in January to March 2026 (one quarter) | Level BScore 74 out of 100Levels by area of care
More measures
| Not applicable (emergency care) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Not Rated (CQC report for Whiston Hospital) |
How stroke teams across England, Wales and Northern Ireland were placed in this quarter: A - 0 teams (0.0%); B - 17 teams (7.9%); C - 20 teams (9.3%); D - 117 teams (54.7%); E - 60 teams (28.0%).
How to read this
- Not a ranking. The table is in alphabetical order. A higher volume does not on its own mean better care, and we do not combine the columns into a score.
- Volume bands. Cut points are the lower quartile, median and upper quartile of all 172 stroke teams in the SSNAP January to March 2026 results in the published table, rounded. So about a quarter of stroke teams in the SSNAP January to March 2026 results fall in each band. The exact number is shown under the band.
- Risk adjustment. Where a figure says “adjusted”, the audit has allowed for differences in the patients each hospital treats, such as age and other illnesses. Hospitals that take on more complex cases can still look different for reasons the adjustment does not capture.
- Bands and limits. We only say a result is higher or lower than expected when the source itself says so (for example NJR outlier status, NELA funnel limits, SSNAP levels, CQC survey bands). Where the source publishes a rate without limits we show the rate and the national figure, and say “No banding published”.
- Small numbers. A small hospital can have 0% or a high percentage by chance. Figures the source suppresses are shown as “Not published (small numbers)”.
- Trust or hospital. Volumes and outcomes here are for each hospital or team, but waiting times and the CQC inpatient survey are for the whole trust.
- Different periods. Each figure has its own period, shown next to it. Audit results describe operations done one to three years ago; waiting times are updated monthly.
- Talk to your GP or consultant about what the figures mean for you. If you are referred for planned care in England, you can usually choose your hospital.
Full definitions: methodology and data dictionary.
Data sources and licences
- Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) Full Results Portfolio, January to March 2026, SSNAP (King's College London) for HQIP. Source: Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
- CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025 (trust benchmark results), Care Quality Commission. Source: Care Quality Commission, NHS Patient Survey Programme, Adult Inpatient Survey 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- CQC ratings, Care Quality Commission. CQC ratings: Care Quality Commission. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Healthcare-associated infections: annual counts and rates by trust (financial year 2025 to 2026), UK Health Security Agency. Source: UK Health Security Agency, healthcare-associated infection annual data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
Data last updated 26 October 2026. We do not change the published figures; we only group volumes into bands. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Sources
We checked this guide against these official pages on 26 October 2026.
- Stroke (NHS website)
- Treatment for a stroke (NHS website)
- Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme results (data.gov.uk) (SSNAP)
- Adult inpatient survey (Care Quality Commission)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us.