The £750,000 unit, expected to open in the autumn, has been hailed as a big step forward for stroke sufferers.

Every year in South Tyneside, about 400 people suffer a stroke, and a further 200 experience the symptoms of a mini-stroke, medically known as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

The 20-bed unit will dramatically improve the speed and quality of services for stroke and high-risk TIA patients across the region, bringing the latest technology and facilities together in one specialist ward.

It will complement the existing rapid access outpatient TIA clinic for patients suffering from suspected mini-strokes, at which all referrals are investigated within seven days.

Dr Jon Scott, stroke services consultant physician at South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, said: "It's fantastic news for all local people that we are taking such a prominent lead to improve the quality of services for stroke patients.

"The new unit will be an amalgamation of the current 16-bed stroke rehabilitation unit and our four acute stroke beds.

"Bringing these services together under one roof will significantly improve patient outcomes, by enabling quicker access to specialist medical and nursing care, reducing the number of times patients have to be moved between wards and reducing the length of their stay."

There is increasing evidence that rapid assessment of stroke and TIA patients much improves their chances of a full recovery.

At present, patients who have suffered a stroke are first seen by accident and emergency staff, or the medical admissions unit, before being transferred to acute stroke beds, where most patients will stay, on average, for two to three days before being discharged or transferred to the stroke rehabilitation unit if they require further treatment.

Dr Scott added: "In the new development, the vast majority of patients will be admitted directly to the stroke unit and will stay on this single ward throughout their time at our hospital.

"Patients will be quickly assessed to help reduce the risk of death or severe disability, and all further investigations will be carried out by the same experienced medical team throughout their stay.

"This combination of being seen quicker, by one team, in one unit, will have major benefits for the patients and dramatically improve their hospital experience."

The project comes in advance of the Department of Health's launch of a national stroke strategy.

An existing 30-bed ward is being remodelled to accommodate the new unit.