Government launches stroke services consultation

The government has announced the launch of a consultation investigating the future of stroke services in England.

Noting that stroke is the third-ranked cause of death in England, the Department of Health (DoH) reports that care for stroke patients is “lagging behind” that for heart disease and cancer, despite an increase in spending.

Prior to its publication of a final Stroke Strategy later this year, the government consultation will assess a number of proposals to reduce the occurence strokes and deal with the condition.

These include more rapid treatment for patients suffering ischaemic attacks – minor strokes that can precede a more serious infliction and treating the earliest signs of strokes within three hours.

The DoH also suggests improved care for stroke victims, recommending the use of a specialist team to facilitate earlier release from hospital.

Alan Johnson, health secretary, said: “Despite the considerable gains in developing stroke units over the last few years, there remains more to be done to bring stroke services in line with cancer and heart disease services.

“That is why I asked Professor Roger Boyle to work with the experts and stroke patients to look at how best we can improve prevention, treatment and care.”

He added that strokes kill 50,000 people nationwide every year and called for an increase in standards of stroke care to better provide for patients and their families.

In May 2007, the Royal College of Physicians described the delay prior to the initiation of specialist treatment for stroke patients as “unacceptable” and called for speedier treatment on designated stroke units.