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

45%

increase in thrombolysis rates across sites

20 minute

reduction in door-to-needle times

£44.8m

potential NHS savings annually through improved care

88%

of patients felt safe, informed and supported

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.

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TASC recognised with four national award nominations

We're delighted that the TASC initiative, has been shortlisted for the following awards:

Three Nursing Times Awards 2025 - Integrated Approaches to Care, Technology and Data in Nursing, and Patient Safety Improvement
The HSJ Patient Safety Award 2025

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

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.

Download case study

How TASC Sites Are Making a Difference

Stroke teams across TASC are finding new ways to deliver faster, safer thrombolysis. Explore these short vignettes to see what’s working on the ground.

1. Eastbourne District General Hospital - East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Raising thrombolysis rates from 8% to 20.7% in just over a year.

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2. Hampshire Hospital Foundation Trust

Creating a safe space to challenge assumptions around milder stroke cases, ensuring all eligible patients are considered for thrombolysis .

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3. Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – Preston Hospital

Faced with scanner pressures and out-of-hours delays, they set out to boost thrombolysis rates and speed up treatment within the golden hour.

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4. United Lincoln Teaching Hospitals – Lincoln County Hospital

With thrombolysis rates stuck at 8%, they tackled pathway delays caused by limited ED space and single staff members juggling multiple tasks.

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5. East & North Herts NHS Trust – Lister Hospital

Compounding delays, varied clinical decision-making, and out-of-hours ED-led thrombolysis, all amid a ward move and managerial restructure, made improving stroke pathway a significant challenge.

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6. Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Inconsistent decision-making, rota gaps, and delays in recognising stroke were holding back timely thrombolysis.

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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)

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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