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Stroke

FAST stroke awareness logo

Stroke is the third biggest cause of death in the UK and the largest single cause of severe disability. Each year more than 110,000 people in England will suffer from a stroke which costs the NHS over £2.8 billion.

The Department of Health recognised the importance of developing better stroke services by including specific milestones, targets and actions in the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People launched in March 2001

Following on from this, the Government has launched a national stroke strategy to modernise service provision and deliver the newest treatments for stroke. The Government's target which aims to reduce the death rate from Stroke, CHD and related diseases in people under 75 by at least 40 percent by 2010 has already been achieved.

Latest updates

28 April 2009

This is an updated version of LAC(DH)(2009)2. It gives information about the scope and purpose of funding which DH introduced last year for all councils with adult social services responsibilities in England to demonstrate how to deliver stroke care for adults in the community.

20 April 2009

The Department of Health are seeking comments on this framework, from a targeted range of stakeholders, by 12 June 2009. There was a stakeholder event on 7 May 2009. The framework has been developed by the UK Forum for Stroke Training following the National Stroke Strategy's recognition that staff working in stroke had variable levels of knowledge and skills and that there was no nationally recognised stroke specific training.

9 February 2009

9 February 2009

he Stroke: Act F.A.S.T. awareness campaign was launched by the Secretary of State in February 2009. The campaign aims to educate healthcare professionals and the public on the signs of stroke, so that pateints seek emergency treatment quickly. Fast treatment reduces the risk of death and disability. The campaign encourages people to recognise the signs of stroke and feel confident phoning 999 for an ambulance on detecting any single sign. Emergency action is as important for TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack) or ‘mini-strokes’.

19 December 2008

The national Stroke Strategy confirmed the Department would commission a short analysis of research evidence in relation to the strategy and the top ten research areas identified in it. The report is available so that is can be used by researchers and those who fund research.

Training opportunities

Developing leadership skills in stroke services

Following the launch of the national stroke strategy, Secretary of State announced that the Department would support 30 one year training programmes in the subspecialty of stroke medicine, Candidates are invited to apply direct to the host Deaneries. Further information can be found in the attached candidate information pack. Programmes will all begin during Autumn 2009.

Payment by Results (PbR) for stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) services

Published: 31 July 2007

This best practice guide is designed to explain PbR in an accessible format for those involved in the provision and commissioning of stroke and TIA services.

 

Additional links

Related links

Act FAST

Stroke Research Network

Part of the UK Clinical Research Network, the Stroke Research Network will provide a world-class health service infrastructure to support clinical stroke research.

National Stroke Improvement Initiative

The National Stroke Improvement Initiative has been set up to support the implementation of the Department of Health Stroke Strategy and development of stroke care networks

National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee

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