New report highlights better ways of delivering stroke care and improving outcomes for patients

As the Department of Health prepares to launch a major stroke awareness campaign, a new report by The Stroke Association highlights the beacons of good practice in stroke care that are saving lives and improving the chances of a full recovery.

Getting Better highlights 12 examples of the progress that has been made across UK to improve stroke care. It also highlights the challenges to be met in turning the one-year-old national stroke strategy into a reality, ensuring that fewer people die of stroke and more are supported in making a full recovery.

Jon Barrick, Chief Executive for The Stroke Association explains: ‘Just over a year ago the Government issued the National Stroke Strategy for England which set out the blue print for good stroke care. The race to deliver this strategy is now well and truly underway.

‘Our report shows what can happen when national direction is matched by local action. The Getting Better report outlines examples in providing the level of stroke care that ensures everyone who has a stroke, and their carers and loved ones, get the service they deserve, wherever they live.’

The report shows what can be achieved when people across the health, care and voluntary services work together to champion stroke. It also highlights the importance of rapid treatment for stroke patients.

It shows how lives can be saved when stroke patients are transferred directly by ambulance to a hospital providing acute stroke services avoiding life threatening delays in A&E.

New technologies such as telemedicine increase the number of patients who can receive clot busting drugs, even when there isn’t a stroke physician physically present.

However there are many challenges to be overcome if stroke care is to be revolutionised in the years ahead.   

• Health professionals must identify stroke as an emergency and ensure that those with suspected stroke get rapid assessment and treatment. The Department of Health’s FAST campaign advertising plays a crucial role in this. 
• Stroke services across the country need to  make sure that patients are cared for, throughout their stay, by a multidisciplinary stroke specialist team. All stroke patients should have access to the clot busting treatment (thrombolysis) if it could benefit them.
• All suspected stroke patients to be transferred directly by ambulance to a hospital providing acute stroke services to increase the number of patients being able to receive life saving treatments.
• As part of the reorganisation already underway in many parts of the country, the introduction of new technologies such as telemedicine should be considered so that hospitals can provide 24/7 cover and give rapid assessments day or night to allow for treatments such as thrombolysis where time is crucial.

Jon Barrick concludes: ‘However, the great strides already made as described in our report will all be in vain unless the public’s understanding of the signs of stroke increase. The Governments FAST advertising campaign is a vital piece of this jigsaw to ensure that everyone affected by stroke receives the care they deserve.

‘We shall see an improvement over time in the numbers avoiding death from stroke, but the task of ensuring long-term support for many disabled permanently for the rest of their lives remains a challenge, one we need to rise to as a nation.’

ENDS

Notes to editor

Notes to Editors

The case studies praised in the report are:
Stroke Prevention in Action Project in Hull
John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford
Stroke network in Greater Manchester
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, Wales
St George’s Hospital, London
Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
St Thomas’ Hospital, London
King’s College Hospital, London
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Northumbria NHS Trust
Leeds Primary Care Trust – The ‘Get Up and Go’ group

Copies of the report are available on request.

For more information on stroke, please call The Stroke Association helpline on 0845 303 3100.

The Stroke Association is the only UK charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. The charity funds research into prevention, treatment, better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services which include communications support, family and carer support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. The Stroke Association also campaigns, educates and informs to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society acting as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

A stroke is a brain attack which causes brain damage.  A stroke can be diagnosed by using FAST – Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech problems, Time to call 999.  If any of these symptoms are present call an ambulance straight away.

The Stroke Helpline provides information on stroke to the general public and is open between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0845 3033 100

More information on The Stroke Association can be found at www.stroke.org.uk

About stroke

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is disrupted.  Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary disabilities such as paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

Strokes can be prevented through lifestyle factors such as a healthy diet - particularly reducing salt intake, drinking alcohol in moderation, not smoking and taking regular exercise.

Stroke statistics

• Each year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke.
• Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause adult disability.
• Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation.
• At least 300,000 people in England are living with moderate to severe disabilities as a result of a stroke.
• A stroke can happen to any one at any time.  Around a quarter of strokes happen to those aged under 65, with around 1000 happening to those under 30.

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