Shocking figures published today show that seven out of twenty of the worst performing UK hospitals for stroke care are in Wales.
As of today, the public can now access recent data on the management, diagnosis and treatment of stroke at their local hospital. While these figures and the interactive map are available for every hospital in the UK, it clearly shows that stroke care in Wales is not at an acceptable standard.
The Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme, provided by the Royal College of Physicians, has collected a minimum dataset for every stroke patient in Wales, England and Northern Ireland since December 2012 to measure processes of acute care, rehabilitation and care in the community. The results for each hospital are presented in letters A to E representing performance.
For October to December 2013 all but one Welsh hospital that had available data was given an ‘E’ – which is the lowest rating.
Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said:
“These figures are hugely disappointing. It is clear that Wales is miles behind the rest of the UK for stroke treatment.
“Stroke is the third single largest cause of death in the UK, accounting for around one in ten deaths. It is also the largest cause of complex disability in the UK, with half of all stroke survivors affected. Correct and early treatment of stroke makes a huge difference to patient outcomes.
“It’s 18 months since the Welsh Labour Government published its national stroke delivery plan – the last UK country to do so, but Welsh patients are still not getting the treatment they need and deserve.
“Around 11,000 people in Wales suffer from a stroke each year. The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that everyone has the right to make the best recovery possible after a stroke.”
Worst performing hospitals in Wales, England and Northern Ireland (Welsh hospitals emboldened):
1. Noble’s Hospital 12.2%
2. Good Hope General Hospital 14.0%
3. Princess of Wales Hospital 17.7%
4. Royal Blackburn Hospital 18.4%
5. Milton Keynes General Hospital 19.6%
6. Kettering General Hospital 20.2%
7. Prince Charles Hospital 20.6%
8. Addenbrooke’s Hospital 21.6%
9. Royal Glamorgan 21.7%
= Queen Alexandra Hospital 21.7%
11. Royal Shrewsbury Hospital 22.4%
12. Ysbyty Gwynedd 22.8 %
13. Prince Philip Hospital 23.4 %
14. Countess of Chester Hospital 23.8%
15. Nevill Hall Hospital 24.3%
16. Solihull Hospital 25.5%
17. Barnsley Hospital 25.6%
18. Blackpool Victoria Hospital 25.8%
19. West Wales General 26.0%
20. Warwick Hospital 26.1%
