NHS stroke care has ‘significantly improved’, study finds

Patients are receiving significantly improved NHS stroke care, an independent report has revealed.

The fourth annual report states that patients are getting much quicker access to the crucial tests and treatment they need when they have a stroke, greatly improving their chances of recovery.

The report, commissioned by NHS England, found that on the key indicators for stroke care significant quality improvements have been made including on waiting times and specialist care.

Improvements highlighted since the first report four years ago include: brain scanning times have improved; four out of five patients are assessed by a stroke specialised consultant physician within 24 hours; almost nine out of 10 eligible patients are receiving a clot-busting drug thrombolysis; and nine out of 10 patients received a joint health and social care plan on discharge in 2016/17, compared to only seven out of 10 in 2013/14.

The NHS in England is working closely with the Stroke Association and other key organisations to develop a very clear plan to continue to improve stroke services across the country, which will including joining up ambulance services, hospital services and community services to reduce the death rate, disability rate and increase the number of people that return to independent living.

Stroke is estimated to cost the NHS around £3 billion a year, with additional cost to the economy of £4 billion in lost productivity, disability and informal care. Rapid assessment and treatment is known to save lives and improve chances of recovery.

Tony Rudd, national clinical director for stroke at NHS England, said: “Stroke can be devastating for patients and their loved ones and so it is fantastic to see the excellent progress which has been made over the last four years. Real improvements have been made, not just in identifying and managing those with key stroke risk factors, but in waiting times for tests and new revolutionary treatments being provided.

“We are not complacent about stroke care – it remains the fourth biggest killer in England and we recognise that there is a great deal more still to do. The data published today provides us with a very high standard which we can continue to improve from to make stroke care even better for patients.”