UK faces ‘mountain to climb’ in improving care quality - Stroke Association comments

A new study published today by the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation, shows that the UK’s performance on the quality of health care has improved on almost every measure since the start of the millennium. However, it also finds that the UK lags behind most other countries (where data are available) in several areas of care, including higher rates of preventable hospital admissions, lower cancer survival and higher mortality rates from heart attacks and strokes.

Dr Dale Webb, Director of Research and Information at the Stroke Association, said: ““While it’s good news that the number of deaths in the UK caused by ischaemic stroke is declining, it’s clear that haemorrhagic stroke is still claiming far too many lives.

“Haemorrhagic stroke, caused by a bleed on the brain, is less common than ischaemic stroke (caused by a clot), but it is often much more devastating. This is the most deadly type of stroke, and those patients who do survive are more likely to experience severe disability as a result of lasting brain damage.

“Treatment for ischaemic stroke has been revolutionised in the last decade thanks to clot-busting medication, and the likely introduction of new clot-retrieval procedures. However, these treatments cannot be used to help haemorrhagic stroke patients. This type of stroke urgently requires more research to help more people make their best possible recovery. 

“The Stroke Association has made research into haemorrhagic stroke a priority. Investment into world-class research is the only way we can reduce the impact of this extremely cruel condition, and ensure people get the best support possible on their journey back from stroke.”