Neurology and neurosurgery

Neurological and neurosurgical emergencies require a time-critical response from retrieval services. Critical care interventions must be performed efficiently and the patient transferred to definitive care for intervention. Retrieval practitioners have a big role to play in preventing secondary brain injury by instituting neuroprotective measures early to ensure the best possible outcomes. Close monitoring is required to detect complications such as seizures and rising intracranial pressure. Skilled assessment and management of traumatic and non-traumatic intracranial haemorrhage is core business for retrieval services. New interventions for acute stroke have developed, further highlighting the requirement to get the right patient to the right facility at the right time. It is acknowledged that critical care interventions are not always appropriate for all patients. Local clinicians must also be supported by retrieval services to provide end of life care locally.