Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) clinic referral

The following is a summary of our discussions together with advice for you to follow once you return home.

·        You have attended the Emergency Department (ED) with symptoms resembling a TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack).

·        A TIA is similar to a Stroke but the symptoms are only temporary, lasting between a few minutes and 24 hours.

·        A TIA is a warning sign that there may be a risk of a further Stroke in the near future and therefore should not be ignored.

·        Due to your symptoms, your clinical information has been passed to the TIA Clinic where further specialist knowledge and investigations may be needed in order to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of TIA.

·        Your clinical information will be triaged (assessed) by a Stroke Consultant and you will then be categorised as high or low risk, depending on your risk factors.  If you are suspected of having a TIA, you will be offered an appointment.

·        Should the Stroke Consultant decide that your symptoms are not a TIA, you will not be offered an appointment and your care will be passed back to your GP. 

·        You will then be contacted either by phone or by post within the next week to confirm your appointment, so please answer unknown calls during this week. 

·        If you have not received any information within the next 5 days, please call the TIA Clinic.  The answer machine is checked regularly should you wish to leave a message.

·        You will be asked to take an aspirin once a day until seen in the TIA Clinic, unless:

Ø  You have an allergy.

Ø  Are on anticoagulants.

Ø  Have a condition where you are advised not to take aspirin.

Ø  You are already taking aspirin.

Advice about driving

For safety reasons, the DLVA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) has strict guidelines about who may and may not drive.  

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE FOR AT LEAST 28 DAYS AFTER A TIA. This is because of the possible effects and the risk of a further Stroke after your TIA

This guidance may change after you have been assessed in the TIA Clinic.

In the meantime, should you be involved in an accident, your car insurance would not be valid.  You do not need to inform your insurance company at this point however, you must do so should a diagnosis of TIA be confirmed.

What do I do if the symptoms return?

Once you have been discharged from ED, should you experience similar symptoms again before the TIA Clinic appointment, please attend the ED again immediately by calling 999.

TIA Clinic contact details

01782 675356

Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.00pm

Saturday/Sunday 8.00am to 3.30pm

Please speak to a member of staff if you need this leaflet in large print, braille, audio or another language