Stroke Association statement on the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) clinical audit January - March 2014

The latest Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) results are published today, Thursday 14 August 2014.  SSNAP is the national stroke register which collects information about the stroke pathway, from being admitted to hospital to the six month follow-up appointment.The audit covers all hospitals treating stroke patients in England and Wales and results are updated every three months. The latest set of results cover the period 1 January - 31 March 2014 and can be found on the Royal College of Physicians website www.rcplondon.ac.uk/projects/ssnap-clinical-audit

In response to the findings, Patrick Olszowski, Head of Campaigns and Policy at the Stroke Association said:

“There is overwhelming evidence that being treated on stroke units reduces deaths and improves outcomes for stroke patients. It is very alarming that these latest SSNAP figures show that 20% of stroke patients are being taken to general wards.

“According to the Cardiovascular Disease Outcome strategy if 95% of stroke patients had timely access to a stroke ward it would prevent over 440 deaths a year and allow more than 160 individuals to stay independent following a stroke. Admitting stroke patients directly to a stroke unit gives them the best possible chance of recovery”