Audit finds variation in stroke care

The standard of stroke care varies greatly across the UK and a third of patients are still not treated in specialist units, a national audit has revealed.

Research has shown that stroke rehabilitation is improved when patients receive care in a specialist unit, and their risk of death is reduced by 50 per cent.

However, research by the Royal College of Physicians now reveals that just 15 per cent of patients are admitted to a stroke unit on the day they arrive at hospital and fewer than half of patients receive brain imaging within 24 hours.

The audit also found that only 28 per cent of patients in Wales are treated in a specialist stroke unit, compared with 64 per cent in England and 73 per cent in Northern Ireland.

Dr Tony Rudd, chairman of the Intercollegiate Stroke Network, said: "The failure of the majority of hospitals in Wales to offer stroke unit care is scandalous and needs urgent action."

Meanwhile, Dr Jonathan Boyce, head of clinical audit at the Healthcare Commission, said that despite welcome improvements, there is "still too much variation" in the provision of stroke care within the NHS.
 
© Adfero Ltd