A stroke service which was abruptly removed from Medway in June will return later this year.

The transient ischaemic attack (TIA) department will be reintroduced into Medway NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) in a hybrid form by August after leaving due to staffing concerns.

In June last year, staff resigned from the service and replacements were unable to be hired in time so it was moved to Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust.

The emergency move had to be done so abruptly councillors were only informed about it after it had already happened.

TIA is a condition where blood is cut off from the brain intermittently which may be a sign of stroke risk. It was based at Medway Maritime Hospital.

Representatives from the TIA department have previously attended Medway Council meetings and promised a review would be done to see if it could return.

Councillors heard at the health and adult social care (HASC) overview and scrutiny committee last month (March 14) that the service will return to Medway Maritime by the end of August.

The three instances where patients need to be in person to interact with the service, radiology (CT scans, MRI scans, and doppler tests), cardiological tests, and prescriptions will all be done through MFT.

An initial assessment will be done either via phone or video call with a clinical consultant.

Between now and August, MFT will be preparing the department at Medway Maritime Hospital to provide the service.

In the meantime, patients will continue to have to travel to Maidstone or Dartford for treatment.

Dr Peter Maskell, chair of the Kent and Medway Integrated Stroke Delivery Network and medical director of West Kent Health and Care Partnership, said: “I’ve spoken with the director of MFT today who agrees with that and sees no reason why this will not happen by August if not before.”

Committee chair Cllr Dan McDonald (Lab) said: “It’s clear that this is the safe option to move to and would be a good option for residents of Medway and they’re not losing out.

“That’s the main thing, they will still get that effective service, that fast pathway which we need to make sure they’re looked after.”