Thrombolysis in Acute Stroke Care

Stroke is a time-critical condition, every minute counts. Yet, despite national guidelines, thrombolysis rates still vary across the NHS. That’s why Thrombolysis in Acute Stroke Care (TASC) is working nationally to improve timely access to this life-saving treatment. Our ambition is clear: By 2025, we aim for thrombolysis to be given to at least 20% of patients who could benefit from the intervention.

So far, we’ve brought together 18 NHS Trusts, uniting stroke teams to use Quality Improvement methods, real-time data, and patient-led design. Together, we’re reducing delays, empowering teams, and building a culture of collaboration and continuous learning - all to deliver faster, safer, and more patient-centred care.

Download toolkit

Our Impact

Participating sites

4.9%

Increase in average thrombolysis rates across sites

20 minute

Reduction in door-to-needle times

88%

of patients felt safe, informed and supported

Nationally

14.9%

National thrombolysis rate - the highest national rate in more than a decade

3,570

additional patients recieving thrombolysis each year

£43.6m

Potential health and social care savings since 2023

Download the TASC toolkit

During the 12-month active phase of the collaborative the programme team worked with participating sites to distil the principles of their approach. The result is this co-produced toolkit designed to share best practices for improving thrombolysis rates across acute NHS services. With stroke being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, timely and effective intervention is critical. This toolkit draws inspiration from the collaborative. The principles we have included in the toolkit emerged as we worked alongside clinical teams and adoption of the principles described in this toolkit will guide any clinical team to take a structured approach to improving thrombolysis rates in acute stroke.

TASC toolkit

TASC recognised with four national award nominations including an HSJ win

We’re delighted that the TASC initiative has been shortlisted for four national awards and has won the HSJ Patient Safety Award 2025.

Three Nursing Times Awards 2025 – Integrated Approaches to Care, Technology and Data in Nursing, and Patient Safety Improvement
The HSJ Patient Safety Award 2025 (now winner)

These nominations, and the HSJ win, recognise TASC’s impact in improving safety culture, empowering frontline teams, and driving continuous improvement in stroke pathways.

The impact of TASC

Stroke teams across TASC are developing innovative ways to deliver faster, safer thrombolysis and improve outcomes for patients.

Explore the case studies and vignettes below to learn how organisations have tackled local challenges, the improvement approaches used, and the impact achieved as part of their thrombolysis improvement journey. These real-world examples highlight what is working in practice and the difference it can make for patients and teams.

Find all case studies and vignettes

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s journey to higher thrombolysis rates

Despite several previous initiatives, Hampshire Hospitals struggled to hit their thrombolysis targets. After joining the TASC programme, that changed, with rates rising from 10% to 15.4%. Read the case study to find out how they did it.

Read the full case study

How East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust increased thrombolysis rates to over 20%

Eastbourne District General Hospital set out to improve its thrombolysis rates, which stood at just 8%. Through the TASC programme, the team introduced weekly reviews, improved decision making and strengthened collaboration, increasing rates to 20.7% by December 2024. Read the vignette to discover how they achieved this.

Read the full vignette

Testimonials

"Participating in TASC has enabled us to create opportunities for collaborative clinical discussions in a psychologically safe environment to challenge deep set beliefs resulting in culture changes in the department, and it has taught us to use data more smartly to drive change.”

Zehra Mehdi, Consultant Stroke Physician (Hampshire Hospital Foundation Trust)

“Being part of the TASC group has been really supportive in our aims to improve thrombolysis for our stroke patients in Lincolnshire. Having excellent analysis of our data has shown us where our care is good and where we can improve... We’ve enjoyed working with other Trusts, sharing ideas and challenges. The approach and support of the programme should be maximised to other Trusts and pathways. Thank you for allowing us to be part of the improvement journey."

Carl Ratcliff, Group Operational Lead for Frailty, Stroke and ASR (Lincoln Hospital)

"We have found the TASC program of support offered to 18 sites in England to be superb and no exaggeration to say the finest collaboration and intervention that stroke medicine in the UK has ever seen…!"

David Hargroves, Consultant Stroke Physician (East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust)

TASC newsletters

Catch up on the latest from TASC - news, updates, and insights from stroke teams across the collaborative.

Clinical leadership guide

Download our Clinical Leadership Guide, featuring top tips from Professor Simon Conroy, TASC Clinical Lead - from knowing yourself and building trust, to creating a shared vision and leading with courage.

Download guide

What’s included in TASC?

Joining TASC gives stroke teams the tools, support, and connections they need to make meaningful, lasting improvements in timely thrombolysis.

12 months of support

including QI coaching, webinars, and peer learning.

Practical tools

SPC templates, pathway mapping guides, and patient experience resources.

Collaborative network

a safe space to test, learn, and improve stroke pathways.

Skills and confidence

strengthen data use and patient engagement capabilities.

National learning events

three face-to-face sessions to share experiences, explore data, and drive improvement together.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or would like further information about TASC, please contact us at networkinfo@elect.nhs.uk.

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