As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, improving outcomes for people affected by stroke is a priority for the NHS in England. I know that good progress has been made in the treatment of strokes in recent years, with falling mortality rates for people who have experienced strokes. Statistics from January to March 2023 show that 96.8 per cent of patients arrived at hospital within 72 hours of experiencing symptoms of stroke for the first time.
The National Stroke Service Model was published in May 2021 to advise providers and commissioners on how stroke units can ensure patients receive the most appropriate treatment within one hour of arrival. This will be achieved by delivering the NHS Long Term Plan’s commitments to establish 20 local Integrated Stroke Delivery Networks and meeting targets for treatments, prevention and rehabilitation. NHS England’s National Stroke Programme – developed with the Stroke Association – is supporting local organisations to meet these commitments.
Tackling major conditions that cause ill-health - including cardiovascular diseases such as stroke - provides an opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people. That is why a Major Conditions Strategy is being developed and will be published over the next year to outline how outcomes in six major condition areas will be improved, including stroke. Following a recent call for evidence, I understand that the strategy will be published in due course.