The awards were facilitated by the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation and were open to regional hospitals participating in the NSW Realising Improvement in StrokE program (RISE) stroke registry.

Shoalhaven District Hospital Stroke Clinical Nurse Co-ordinator, Donna Jay said achieving WSO Gold Status was a testament to the team approach taken to enhance stroke care in the local area.

"Stroke is a time-critical medical emergency. With each minute that goes by more brain cells can be lost and the risk of disability and death increases," Ms Jay said.

"Acting swiftly on the signs of stroke and implementing best practice care requires coordination between ambulance, emergency department, radiology and stroke unit staff.

"This has been our priority and it's wonderful to be recognised globally."

Shoalhaven Hospital treats approximately 250 strokes each year.

Training, protocols and the performance of the hospital's stroke unit were assessed as part of the Angels Initiative, including meeting a target of restoring blood-flow to more than half of eligible patients within an hour of their hospital arrival.

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A major report by the Stroke Foundation highlights that people living in regional Australia are 17 per cent more likely to suffer a stroke than those living in metropolitan areas.

"In regional Australia, we have higher rates of stroke and contend with the challenge of providing access to expert care over long distances," Ms Jay said.

"It's a great achievement that eligible patients can now receive clot busting therapy within 60 minutes of arriving at the hospital door.

"In January we were also thrilled to add the life-saving telehealth service, Telestroke, to our care, as part of the $21.7 million commitment from the state and federal governments.

"The service is undoubtedly improving outcomes for stroke patients in our region, giving them a much greater chance of surviving and leading a normal life."

Achieving WSO Gold status was not possible without the incredible efforts of onsite staff, however data and technology also play an important role in modern stroke care.

Medical Director of the NSW Telestroke Service, Professor Ken Butcher, explained that hospitals are benefitting from the NSW Telestroke Service roll-out, which is currently in 12 hospitals, including Shoalhaven Hospital, and will expand to up to 23 sites by June 2022.

Telestroke provides 24/7 access to lifesaving stroke diagnosis and treatment, by connecting local doctors to specialist stroke physicians via video consultation in the emergency department.

"Using Telestroke, our clinicians can deliver better outcomes for patients exhibiting signs of stroke by harnessing this cutting-edge technology - irrespective of location," Professor Butcher said.

About stroke in Australia and NSW