Better stroke care 'could save lives'

Wednesday, 16 November 2005 12:00 AM

An improvement in care could sharply cut the number of deaths caused by strokes, a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) finds.

About 2,000 people suffer a stroke every week, but the Stroke Association estimates that at least 40 per cent could be prevented by tackling the major risk factors.

In its latest report, the NAO finds that the cost of strokes to public finances was three times greater than previously thought, standing at about £7 billion a year - by far the most expensive illness.

The cost to the NHS alone is about £2.8 billion, it finds, with lost productivity, disability and informal care estimated at £4.2 billion.

But the NAO argues that this cost could be cut - and recovery rates improved. It calls for faster emergency responses to strokes, more specialised stroke units, better access to clot-busting drugs and access to earlier and longer rehabilitation services.

Auditor general John Bourn said there was much that could be done to improve outcomes for both patients and the public purse.

"By giving stroke the attention and status it deserves, the Department [of Health] will be able to make financial savings to the NHS and the wider economy," Sir John said.

He added: "The NHS can help prevent more strokes and improve treatment, care and outcomes by re-¬organising services and using existing capacity more wisely.

"Much can be done to achieve real improvements in patients' prognosis, treatment and rehabilitation and to reduce the toll that stroke takes on individuals and their families."

Edward Leigh, chairman of the public accounts select committee - which is also carrying out a review of stroke care, to be published in the next few months - said the current situation was "unacceptable" and urged the Department of Health to take action.

"It is unacceptable that people are being made to wait days for brain scans that should be done within hours. It is unacceptable that England lags behind other countries which are organised enough to deliver clot-busting drugs," he said.

"And it is unacceptable that nobody has clear responsibility for making sure that survivors get the comprehensive rehabilitation and social services they need."

Care services minister Liam Byrne said progress was being made on dealing with strokes, but admitted more had to be done, adding that implementing the NAO recommendations could save an extra ten lives a week.

"We will take action immediately by spreading examples of best practice and will build a future generation of clinical champions through a programme to expand stroke physician training numbers," he said.

Noting that the forthcoming hospital white paper would strengthen local care, he said:
"I have asked for work to begin on a new stroke strategy which will deliver the newest treatments and improve the care that stroke patients receive."

Jon Barrick, chief executive of the Stroke Association, added: "The NAO report reveals that huge sums of money are being spent on stroke care which needs to be put to better use saving lives and improving stroke outcomes.

"It is time to act urgently on stroke - the country's third biggest killer and the biggest cause of severe disability."

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