Skip Navigation

Latest News

more news »

RSS

News

Open Letter to Michael McGimpsey

Friday 11 April 2008

NI Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) responds to the draft Report “Improving Stroke Services in Northern Ireland” which you have issued for consultation.

27th March 2008

Mr Michael McGimpsey MLA
Minister for Health
Private Office
DHSSPS
Castle Buildings
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast
BT4 3SJ

Dear Minister

Better Services for Stroke

NI Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) responds to the draft Report "Improving Stroke Services in Northern Ireland" which you have issued for consultation.

While NICHS agrees with many of the recommendations which are made, stroke survivors and carers feel there is a very pressing need to be more specific in identifying the objectives which must be set in certain areas:

1. Speedier diagnosis of stroke by paramedics and by A&E staff who have greater knowledge of stroke

2. Greatly reduced delays in assigning stroke survivors to Stroke Units

3. Access to TIA Clinics should be within 24 hours on a weekday and no more than 72 hours at a weekend

4. Individuals should be encouraged to travel a greater distance to be assessed for TIA at an earlier time since this reduces the risk of a major stroke

5. There should be 24/7 access to brain scans both MRI and CT. Specialist stroke staff should be available 24/7

6. Recommendation 5 states that by 2010, 80% of stroke patients should spend the majority of their hospital stay in a specialist Stroke Unit. Setting a target of 51% of time in a Stroke Unit is far from ambitious. By 2011 stroke patients should expect to spend at least 75% of their time in a Stroke Unit and by 2012 95% of hospital stay in a Stroke Unit. (If Stroke Units greatly reduce mortality and greatly reduce the numbers consigned to long-term residential nursing care, then the greater the time spent in the Stroke Unit the better the chances for improved recovery and much less cost and to the community)

7. Before discharge it must be essential that both stroke survivors, carers and family members are given a comprehensive picture of the effects of the stroke on the individual and on the family

8. One member of staff, whether in hospital or in the community, should be identified as the person who acts as signpost for the survivor and for family members

9. Support for the stroke survivor and family in the community must be of a long-term nature

10. More funding must be allocated by health authorities to voluntary organisations which provide long-term care in a cost-efficient manner

11. Such support should include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy

12. Many health professionals believe that there is no opportunity for improvement after 6 months from the onset of stroke. This has proved to be very different from actual outcomes. Attitudinal change in this must be nurtured and achieved

13. There must be greater urgency in initiating long overdue action to overcome practical obstacles to achieve a clot-busting drug service

14. There is a need to specify the form of psycho-social support which will be offered to stroke survivors and family members

15. There must be tighter time targets for occupational therapists and for NI Housing Executive in achieving home adaptations. These, after many years of falling short, must be achieved

16. Carers must be given a comprehensive and individualised assessment as well as psychosocial support

17. Carers urgently need advice on benefits and on long-term financial management

 

Yours sincerely

/s/ Andrew Dougal

ANDREW P DOUGAL OBE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE

 

 

[BACK TO TOP]