Background and aims: Unequal access to specialist stroke services may contribute to the disproportionate stroke burden in certain populations. We evaluated the relationship between access to TIA services, deprivation and age.
Methods: We prospectively recorded referral pattern data on consecutive TIA service patients. Socio-economic deprivation was derived from postcode and census data. Associations were described using Kruskal-Wallis statistics.
Results: Of 3,462 patients assessed, there was no association between time to clinic referral or attendance and increasing deprivation or age.
Conclusion: Inequality of access to TIA services for older, deprived patients was not evident. However, delay to assessment and prevalence of risk factors was substantial for all patients.