NHS Hospital: Jalandhar’s First 24/7 Stroke-Ready Hospital with Advanced Technology and Expert Team
When it comes to stroke, every second counts. Globally, stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability, with millions of people affected every year. Medical experts agree that rapid diagnosis and treatment during the “golden window” – the first few hours after a stroke – can make the difference between full recovery and lifelong disability. Rising to this challenge, NHS Hospital (a unit of NHS Hospital) has established itself as a fully stroke-ready hospital, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, advanced neuro-imaging, and a dedicated expert team available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
At the heart of this pioneering initiative is Dr Sandeep Goel (Director and Senior Neurologist, DM Neurology), a leading name in neurology with more than two decades of experience. Together with Dr Naveen Chitkara (MCh Neurosurgery), the hospital’s Neurocare Department offers unmatched expertise and comprehensive treatment for stroke patients under one roof.
Why Stroke Readiness Matters
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Without immediate treatment, brain cells begin to die within minutes. Studies reveal that nearly two million brain cells are lost every minute a stroke goes untreated. Hence, time is brain.
Unfortunately, delays in diagnosis and treatment remain a major concern in many hospitals, especially where neuro-imaging facilities such as CT or MRI are not available round the clock. NHS Hospital has directly addressed this issue by developing an integrated stroke-care system designed to eliminate unnecessary delays and ensure rapid intervention.
State-of-the-Art Emergency Facilities
The Emergency Department at NHS Hospital is equipped with inbuilt CT and MRI facilities, making it possible to diagnose stroke within minutes of arrival. This seamless integration is one of the hospital’s greatest strengths. Instead of transferring patients between departments or waiting for external imaging, the process is immediate and streamlined.
“Every second is critical in stroke management. Our ability to perform CT and MRI scans within the Emergency Department ensures we waste no time. The faster we diagnose, the faster we treat, and the better the patient outcomes,” said Dr Sandeep Goel (DM Neurology).
This capability is crucial for identifying whether the stroke is ischaemic (caused by a clot) or haemorrhagic (caused by bleeding), as the treatment pathway depends entirely on the type of stroke.
Led by Experts with 50+ Years of Collective Experience
The Specialised Stroke Unit at NHS Hospital is led by two eminent doctors:
Dr Sandeep Goel (DM Neurology, Director and Senior Neurologist) – With over 25 years of dedicated experience in neurology, Dr Goel has been instrumental in advancing stroke care protocols in the region.
Dr Naveen Chitkara (MCh Neurosurgery) – A highly skilled neurosurgeon with more than three decades of expertise, Dr Chitkara brings invaluable surgical excellence to the team.
Together, they form the backbone of the hospital’s stroke leadership, combining clinical excellence with cutting-edge technology.
The Stroke-Ready Team
Supporting the lead specialists is a highly trained and experienced team of consultants and doctors, each contributing unique expertise to stroke management. The Stroke Ready Team includes:
Dr Surbhi Mahajan (DM Neurologist)
Dr Sudhir Sood (Neurosurgeon)
Dr Rajinder (Neurosurgeon)
Dr Roohi & Dr Jasdeep (Radiologists)
Dr Pooja, Dr Jashanpreet & Dr Harleen (Neuro-Anaesthetists)
With more than 70 years of combined experience in managing stroke emergencies, this multidisciplinary team ensures that patients receive comprehensive care at every stage of treatment – from diagnosis and immediate intervention to long-term rehabilitation.
Dedicated Stroke ICU
To provide intensive monitoring and specialised care, NHS Hospital houses a fully dedicated Stroke ICU, staffed with trained stroke-care nurses and neuro-specialists. This unit has been designed to deliver constant monitoring, rapid intervention, and meticulous post-treatment care.
Stroke patients often require critical attention not just in the first few hours but also in the days following an episode. The Stroke ICU ensures that patients receive uninterrupted expert attention, significantly improving recovery chances.
Advanced Neurovascular Interventions in the Cath Lab
In cases of ischaemic stroke, where clots block blood flow to the brain, rapid clot removal is essential. NHS Hospital has invested in a cutting-edge Cath Lab, which is always on standby with a specialised stroke intervention team. Here, procedures such as mechanical thrombectomy (removal of clots using advanced devices) and coiling for aneurysms are performed with precision and speed.
“Our advanced Cath Lab, combined with our team’s expertise, ensures we can handle even the most complex neurovascular cases without delay,” said Dr Sandeep Goel (DM Neurology).
This readiness places NHS Hospital among the select few hospitals in the region capable of offering advanced stroke interventions round the clock.
Seamless Stroke Care: From Emergency to Recovery
At NHS Hospital, the stroke treatment pathway is designed for end-to-end care under one roof. The process includes:
Immediate emergency response on arrival at the hospital.
Rapid imaging (CT/MRI) in the Emergency Department.
Expert evaluation by neurologists and neurosurgeons.
Stroke ICU admission for intensive care and monitoring.
Intervention in the Cath Lab, if required.
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and counselling.
This holistic approach ensures patients and their families feel supported throughout the recovery journey, not just during the initial crisis.
NHS Hospital: A Centre of Excellence
The Neurology Department at NHS Hospital has been recognised as a centre of excellence, not just for stroke but for a range of neurological conditions. However, the hospital’s distinction lies in its stroke-ready infrastructure, which sets new benchmarks for emergency neurology care in Punjab and beyond.
The vision of the hospital is clear: to save time, save brain, and save lives. This mission resonates in every element of the hospital’s infrastructure, its expert team, and its relentless commitment to innovation.
The Human Side of Stroke Care
Beyond technology and expertise, what truly defines NHS Hospital is its compassionate patient-centric approach. Families of stroke patients often face overwhelming fear and uncertainty. The hospital staff are trained not only in clinical care but also in providing reassurance, clarity, and support during these difficult times.
“Our mission goes beyond treatment. We aim to give patients and their families confidence and hope during what can be one of the most frightening experiences of their lives,” shared Dr Sandeep Goel (DM Neurology).
Setting a New Standard for Jalandhar
By becoming a 24/7 stroke-ready hospital, NHS Hospital has set a new standard in the region’s healthcare landscape. With its expert neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, anaesthetists, and stroke-care nurses, supported by the most advanced imaging and interventional technologies, the hospital offers unmatched readiness in tackling one of the most time-sensitive medical emergencies.
This achievement reflects the hospital’s broader mission of combining medical excellence with world-class infrastructure to deliver healthcare that meets international standards.
Conclusion
Stroke is an unforgiving emergency where time lost is brain lost. In such situations, patients and their families need a hospital that is not just prepared but fully equipped to handle the crisis without delay. NHS Hospital (a unit of NHS Hospital) has taken that responsibility with utmost seriousness by creating a 24/7 Stroke-Ready Unit, led by some of the finest minds in neurology and neurosurgery.
From immediate imaging to advanced neurovascular interventions and round-the-clock expert availability, NHS Hospital ensures that every patient receives the best chance at recovery. As the hospital continues to push the boundaries of neurological care, it stands as a beacon of hope for stroke patients across the region.
NHS Hospital: Saving Time, Saving Brain, Saving Lives.