FOI_8806

Internal Reference Number: FOI_8806

Date Request Received: 28/07/2025 00:00:00

Date Request Replied To: 12/08/2025 00:00:00

This response was sent via: By Email

Request Summary: Unexplained loss of consciousness, fainting, syncope services

Request Category: Health


Question Number 1: I am writing on behalf of STARS, a UK-based charity working to improve awareness, understanding, and care pathways for individuals experiencing syncope/loss of consciousness. As part of our service mapping project, we are seeking information about how syncope and unexplained loss of consciousness are managed within your Trust. We understand there may not be a standalone “syncope/loss of consciousness” service. If this is the case, we would appreciate if the following services were contacted for the purpose of this FOI request: • Cardiology • Neurology • Geriatric Medicine • Emergency Depart How many patients were presented to your department over the last three financial years, coded under Syncope, Blackout, Faint, Loss of Consciousness or Transient Loss of Consciousness (TLOC)?

Answer To Question 1: Please see our response to parts 1, 2 and 3 in the spreadsheet attached. To accompany this answer to question 1 please also see the documents listed below: FOI_8806 response to Q1, 2 and 3 - Syncope services.xlsx

Question Number 2: Of the above patients, detailed in question 1, how many were admitted to the hospital ward for further assessment?

Answer To Question 2: Please see our response to parts 1, 2 and 3 in the spreadsheet attached.

Question Number 3: How many were discharged on the same day following a period of observation?

Answer To Question 3: Please see our response to parts 1, 2 and 3 in the spreadsheet attached.

Question Number 4: Do you have a local syncope management/referral pathway being actively utilised by clinicians?

Answer To Question 4: No Syncope unit. From a Medicine for Older Persons point of view, people are seen with sudden loss of consciousness. This can be both on the acute take or as outpatient referrals to Falls clinic or a more generic RACE (Rapid Access Care of the Elderly) Clinic or General Elderly clinics.

Question Number 5: Do you have a syncope unit attached to ED or somewhere within your hospital?

Answer To Question 5: N/A

Question Number 6: If yes, which business unit/department is your syncope unit located in? E.g. cardiology, neurology

Answer To Question 6: N/A
Please see Attachments:


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Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.