PATIENTS in the North-East are the first to benefit from revolutionary new software which is improving the care of stroke victims.

Locally developed, the CaptureStroke system is now in every NHS hospital in the region.

It allows medical teams to collect and analyse data more simply and efficiently than ever before.

Developed by Newcastle company, Digital Spark, CaptureStroke is now in use at 17 hospitals across the UK with more coming online by the week. CaptureStroke has been developed alongside the North of England Cardiovascular Network, so that it meets the exact requirements of medical team.

Digital Spark was set up by Michael Bell and Gavin Kipling, both of whom previously worked within the NHS.

The pair are now adding other systems, including CaptureTherapy for post-stroke treatment, CaptureTIA for mild stroke symptoms, and CaptureRACPC for the treatment of chest pains.

The new system allows medics to easily analyse what stage a stroke patient's treatment is at, and can see at a glance whether time-critical treatment targets have been met.

The software also standardises the process of data analysis between hospitals, easing the process if a patient is transferred.

The University Hospital of North Tees recorded a 170 per cent reduction in the waiting time for a CT scan as a direct result of introducing CaptureStroke.

Digital Spark - which was established in 2010 and now employs 14 people - was recently named as a finalist in the Health Service Journal Awards for its collaboration with the North of England Cardiovascular Network on the development of CaptureStroke.

Michael Bell, strategic director of Digital Spark, said: "CaptureStroke has been developed at every step of the way in conjunction with leading clinicians, to ensure it is easy to use and results in better standards of care for patients.

"The fact so many hospitals are already using it, and that some of the leading medics in their field speak so highly of its effectiveness, is a real testament to the success of CaptureStroke."

Dr Helen Skinner, consultant stroke physician and stroke lead for the southern half of the region, said: "CaptureStroke has enabled the stroke team in my hospital to get real-time data about patients.

"This has allowed the whole team to regularly review how we are performing so we can rapidly improve services to deliver the best care for patients after their stroke."