Department of Health

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Stroke

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 announced an 18 month work programme to produce a National Strategy to modernise service provision and deliver the newest treatments for stroke. By 2010 the Government aims to reduce the death rate from Stroke, CHD and related diseases in people under 75 by at least 40%

What you need to know about strokes.

About strokes: how to recognise the symptoms and what to do if someone has a stroke; and how to reduce the risks by improving your lifestyle.

National Stroke Strategy

The new stroke strategy, launched on 5 December 2007, sets a clear direction for the development of stroke services in England over the next ten years.

This strategy has been developed in partnership with stakeholders, including representatives from stroke charities, stroke professionals in NHS and social care professionals, and those affected by stroke and their carers. The National Director for Stroke, Professor Roger Boyle, supported by these stroke experts, led on this work.

Implementing the National Stroke Strategy - an imaging guide

Published: 2 June 2008

This document has been developed by experts in the field of imaging. It provides guidance on developing imaging services for TIA and stroke in line with the quality markers in the National Stroke Strategy. All radiology departments in England will receive their own copies at the beginning of June.

Demonstrating how to deliver stroke care for adults in the community

Published: 7 May 2008

LAC (DH) (2008) 2 gives information about the scope and purpose of new funding which the Department of Health is making available to all councils with adult social services responsibilities in England to demonstrate how to deliver stroke care for adults in the community.

New training opportunities

Stroke physician training programmes

In support of the forthcoming national stroke strategy, the Department is supporting 10 one-year training programmes in the subspecialty of stroke medicine. Candidates are invited to apply direct to the host Deaneries using the application form attached below.

Developing leadership skills in stroke services

The Department of Health is funding places on the Leadership Programme for Stroke Practitioners from autumn 2007 onwards. This innovative programme has been developed by Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and The Clinical Practice Research Unit, University of Central Lancashire. The workshops aim to build on and demonstrate core principles of leadership development within the context of services to stroke.

Workforce planning resource

Published: 17 December 2007

This resource has been developed to support stroke related workforce planning and is provided for use alongside the National Stroke Strategy to allow professionals and organisations to drive change and improve care for patients as well as supplying staff with opportunities for personal and professional development.

It comprises four sections: case studies; professional organisations’ consensus statements; a grid of current and aspirational staffing levels on stroke units; and a table of professionals involved in stroke care.

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.

Vascular programme briefing pack

Published: 31/03/2008 12:33

The vascular programme briefing pack has been prepared to provide the ten new health authorities with an assessment of progress, opportunities and future challenges in key areas of vascular disease.

Providers guidance for stroke services - ASSET(1)

Published: 04/05/2007

Action on stroke services: an evaluation toolkit ('ASSET') has been created to help health care organisations improve and transform stroke services for patients. This will be an evolving resource so we recommend you visit this site regularly for the latest updates.

Commissioning guidance for stroke services - ASSET (2)

Published: 07/12/2006

The Department of Health launched new guidance and a toolkit, Action on stroke services: an evaluation toolkit - ASSET(2) – to assist NHS commissioners modernise stroke services. ASSET(2) shows PCTs and GPs – using their own statistics – how better care will save money in the long run, reduce hospital bed days, and save lives.

Mending hearts and brains - clinical case for change

Published: 05/12/2006

Roger Boyle, National Director for Heart Disease, makes the clinical case for reconfiguration in the context of heart disease and stroke services.

Key publications

Key publications about strokes

Additional links

Related links

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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