Starting in 2009, the Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust implemented a programme to admit stroke patients directly to the hyper-acute stroke unit rather than through A&E, using a "bat phone" with a separate ring tone and flashing light to alert ward staff prior to the patient's arrival.
From 2009 onwards, the Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust introduced a system where stroke patients were admitted directly to their hyper-acute stroke unit via a specialized communication method, which included a unique phone signal and visual alert to inform ward staff of impending arrivals.