Stroke

The SE regional Team for Stroke coordinate the assurance process for “systems” across the SE region. “There is a need to ensure that systems have the support, oversight and clinical leadership that they need to meet national programme objectives. Equally, it is important that there is not duplication of work carried out by another team or directly deliver programme objectives on behalf of the ICS” (National Stroke delivery Board, 6th January 2020)

Within the region we work with 5 Integrated Stroke Delivery Networks (ISDNs) who are responsible for the upholding and improving service quality in stroke, so that patients get the best possible experience of NHS healthcare throughout the stroke pathway.

“The overarching aim of an ISDN is to improve the quality of stroke care for better clinical outcomes, patient experience and patient safety. The ISDN does this by bringing key stakeholders together to facilitate a collaborative approach to improving the entire stroke pathway and ensure a patient-centred, evidence-based approach to delivering transformational change” (NHS Clinical Policy Unit, May 2021)

This includes work undertaken to identify members of the public with risk factors associated with stroke and heart disease, with initiatives to prevent them going on to have a stroke, and also quality improvement of diagnosis and treatment of anyone who has a stroke or Transient Ischemic attack (TIA) including the use of breakthrough techniques and digital technology. Within this we aim to tackle health inequalities associated with access to stroke associated healthcare, to improve stroke outcomes wherever possible.