A telestroke service involving Wellington Regional Hospital neurologists providing after-hours advice to less experienced doctors by video conference has seen stroke thrombolysis treatment rates double and firmed up plans to offer it on a nationwide basis.

The service saw a dramatic increase in stroke intervention rates and the service is now being replicated across other parts of New Zealand, with the Ministry of Health developing a new funding model that allows DHBs to subscribe and pay an annual fee based on their individual population catchment area.