News: Improved Care for Stroke Patients in Wales

29 October 2009, National Leadership & Innovation Agency For Healthcare

Stroke patients are receiving better and more efficient care from hospitals across

Wales

thanks to a number of new ways of working.

For the past 12 months, the All Wales Stroke Services Improvement Collaborative (AWSSIC) has been helping healthcare teams improve the care provided to patients in the first seven days following a stroke.

Significant progress has been made to ensure there is a rapid recognition of symptoms and emergency, specialist treatment is available, in properly equipped units, with appropriately trained staff.

Every health organisation in

Wales

has taken part in the Improvement Collaborative Programme which is being delivered by the National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare (NLIAH).

The improvements, which are announced today (October 29, 2009) as part of World Stroke Day, are helping to ensure stroke patients receive the right treatment, at the right time and in the right place.

AWSSIC Clinical Advisor and Chair of the Welsh Stroke Alliance, Dr Anne Freeman, said, “Stroke is a preventable and treatable disease but urgency is the key.

“Swift action can limit damage to the brain and dramatically increase a person's chances of surviving and of avoiding long-term disability.

“The earlier symptoms of stroke are recognised and the patient is admitted to hospital, the better the recovery.”

There are around 11,500 strokes in

Wales

each year and although still more common in older people, 10% of these strokes will affect those aged under 45.

Until recently, it was not necessary for there to be a sense of urgency about diagnosis of stroke, but recent research has shown that the quicker the treatment the better the outcome for the patient.

As a result of this, all stroke patients in

Wales

are now treated as a medical emergency

Working with AWSSIC, every health organisation in

Wales

has been closely monitoring how quickly they are able to provide assessments and treatments on a patient by patient basis.

They have been using this data to quickly assess the impact of any small changes they make to improve the efficiency and consistency of care.

The new ways of working have made a number of improvements including;

Earlier recognition of symptoms and more rapid diagnosis of stroke
50% reduction in the time for a stroke patient to be admitted to a specialist stroke bed from A&E
Over half of all stroke patients receiving a screening test which looks at their ability to swallow within 24 hours. This ensures that those whose swallow is affected by stroke are able to get the fluid and nutrition they require safely and reduces the chance of chest infections.
An increase in the number of people who are helped to get out of bed within three days of a stroke which improves their recovery
Development of specially trained stroke teams to support patients including nurses, speech therapists, physiotherapists, dieticians and occupational therapists
Development of stroke information packs for patients and relatives

Dr Freeman said, “We have made great progress and it has been an exciting 12 months.

“The changes made so far have made a real difference to the treatment and care for stroke patients, particularly in terms of recovery

“But there is still more that needs to be done to ensure

Wales

is delivering a world class stroke service.

“The next steps now are to continue working with stroke teams to provide more patient centred care and improve local services, including rehabilitation.

“However, no matter how fast and effective health organisations can provide stroke services, the outcome following a stroke still depends on how quickly an individual who experiences the symptoms of stroke seeks emergency medical attention.

“I would urge everyone to learn how to recognise the signs of stroke and seek help immediately.”

The theme of today’s World Stroke Day is ‘What Can You Do’ and the recent FAST campaign supported by the Wales Centre for Health has helped to raise public awareness and understanding of stroke as a medical emergency.

FAST stands for ‘Face, Arm, Speech, Time’ and urges people to look for any changes to a persons demeanour and then to seek medical help immediately.

For more information on FAST please visit www.wales.nhs.uk/actfast

Fact File

Stroke is a vascular disease that affects the blood flow to the brain causing damage to tissue resulting in a variety symptoms including problems with speaking, thinking, swallowing, feeling and moving.

There are three types of stroke;

Ischaemic stroke – the main type caused by a blood clot in the brain
Haemorrhagic stroke – caused by burst blood vessel
Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) - a mini stroke, which is usually resolved within 24 hours

Note to Editors:

The All Wales Stroke Services Improvement Collaborative (AWSSIC) was set up by the Welsh Assembly Government as part of the Stroke Services Improvement Programme. Its work is delivered by the National Leadership and Innovations Agency for Healthcare. All health organisations in Wales have taken part in the programme for the past 12 months. The AWSSIC provides a structure and support for clinicians and managers to concentrate on improving the efficiency and consistency of the key interventions they provide in the first seven days following stroke. The programme will now continue for the next 12 months.
For further information, please contact Alison Watkins Communications on 07854 386054 or e-mail info@alisonwatkinscommunications.com
For further information on World Stroke Day please visit the NLIAH website at www.nliah.wales.nhs.uk
For further information on the FAST Campaign please visit www.wales.nhs.uk/actfast