Press release -
Stroke Association response to NHSE's Plan to Recover Urgent and Emergency Care Services
Juliet Bouverie OBE, Chief Executive of the Stroke Association said: “Today’s Recovery Plan comes at a crucial time - our urgent and emergency services are in crisis. Stroke patients regularly wait hours for an ambulance and we’ve seen a devastating deterioration in stroke standards. The Stroke Association has continuously raised concerns that this is putting stroke patients’ lives and recoveries at risk. This plan is the vital first step towards restoring emergency services and improving the treatment and care stroke patients receive.
“We welcome the promise of much-needed investment in ambulances and hospital beds, and crucially the system-wide approach to addressing A&E pressures. This is because so much of the problem is caused by a lack of available discharge, community services and social care. The plan also rightly recognises the importance of supporting stroke survivors’ recoveries when they leave hospital to avoid readmission.
“Stroke is a medical emergency and patients must receive fast treatment and care to give them the best chance of survival and recovery. We hope to see the plan’s two key ambitions - to reduce Category 2 (including stroke) ambulance response times and A&E waiting times - achieved, as this will undoubtedly improve outcomes and experiences for people affected by stroke.
“However, the delivery of this plan hinges on the upcoming Workforce Plan. The government and NHS leaders must urgently address staffing issues in order to make this plan a reality and support our incredible stroke professionals to deliver high-quality care into the future. We also encourage Integrated Care Systems to recognise the key role that charities like ours can play in relieving pressures on stretched services.”
Topics
- Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and it changes lives in an instant.
- The Stroke Association is a charity working across the UK to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. We believe that everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke. From local support services and groups, to online information and support, anyone affected by stroke can visit stroke.org.uk or call our dedicated Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100 to find out about support available locally.
- Our specialist support, research and campaigning are only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community and the generosity of our supporters. With more donations and support, we can help rebuild even more lives.
- You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
