Press Release - Joining forces to deliver improved stroke
care
19 March 2007
The Department of Health has suggested that as many as 10 lives
a week might be saved as a result of the Department’s accepting
National Audit Office recommendations for improving stroke
care.
How to deliver improved stroke services is the subject of a book
published today by the National Audit Office. Stroke afflicts more
than 130,000 people of all ages in England every year. It is one of
the top three causes of death in England and at least 300,000
people are living with disabilities as a result of stroke.
Karen Taylor, Director for Health at the National Audit
Office, said:
“Stroke has a huge impact on hundreds of thousands of
lives in this country and until recently has not received the
attention that it clearly deserves. Our report to Parliament,
published in 2005, has had a marked impact on raising the profile
of stroke care in the UK, which costs the nation around £7 billion
a year, including direct costs to the NHS of nearly £3 billion a
year.
“We are heartened at the Department of Health’s response
to our work and its clear acknowledgement of the need for change.
It is right that stroke has now become a national
priority.
“We hope this book will show NHS staff the impact they
can have in dealing with incidents of stroke and recognise how
effective they can be in helping stroke survivors’ have a better
quality of life.”
Joining forces to deliver improved stroke care
highlights what works in stroke care, and what more can and should
be done regarding an illness that devastates families and leaves
many survivors with serious disabilities.
The book is intended to be read by everyone involved in the
delivery and management of stroke care; it includes clinicians and
patients telling their stories about their personal
experiences.
The book also includes links to a DVD of patients' stories that
show what life after stroke is like and how health and social
services can save lives and make a difference to a patient's
quality of life after stroke.
Since the NAO report was published, the Department of Health has
taken the issues raised seriously and is developing a comprehensive
national stroke strategy. The new book provides an overview of
recent developments and initiatives in stroke care and highlights
initiatives recently launched by the Department of Health.
Roger Boyle, National Clinical Director for Heart
Disease and Stroke, said:
“The Department of Health is taking the issues raised by
the NAO report very seriously and is working with stakeholders to
develop a national stroke strategy. I am confident we can produce a
comprehensive and effective strategy for delivering real
improvements in stroke services. The findings from the NAO’s
Joining Forces Conference, publicised through this book, make a
significant contribution to that work.”
Notes for Editors:
- Press notices and reports are available from the date of
publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk. Hard
copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702
3474.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, is the
head of the National Audit Office which employs some 850 staff. He
and the NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the
accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other
public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to
Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which
departments and other bodies have used their resources.
Press Notice 02/07
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Tel: 020 7798 7038
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