THERE are good reasons why NHS guidelines say 60 per cent of those who suffer mini-strokes should be scanned and treated within 24 hours.

As the Stroke Association says: without such care one in four people will go on to have a full blown stroke – and that could prove fatal.

In East Lancashire health chiefs are only managing to get just over half way towards meeting the NHS target with an “appalling” figure of 33per cent.

The reason apparently is quite simple. We haven’t got the medical specialists at Royal Blackburn Hospital because they have been unable to fill vacant posts.

Now to try to improve the figures mini-stroke victims will be assessed via a video link by specialists at the Royal Preston and Blackpool Victoria hospitals.

The ‘telestroke’ service is an improvement on the present situation but as experts point out it is a reaction to an emergency rather than a proper lasting solution.

Those in charge of Royal Blackburn Hospital must ensure that their focus remains on filling the vacant posts swiftly by providing packages which will attract the right people.

Video links must not be allowed to become a substitute for face-to-face assessment.