A new pilot project to improve emergency responses to suspected and confirmed stroke patients so that they receive the best possible care has been announced by the Welsh Government.
The new pilot will measure the combined emergency response between the Welsh Ambulance Service and the NHS where a fast clinical response is essential to the patient’s welfare.
Because strokes require prompt treatment, often the crucial intervention may be performed before the patient gets to hospital – but currently performance is measured in terms of when the patient reaches hospital.
The project will more effectively measure clinically-based outcome measures across emergency care for stroke patients.
The Welsh Government emphasised that existing targets will not be scrapped – these will continue to be measured alongside the development work.
Dr Shakeel Ahmad, Consultant Stroke Physician at Cardiff & Vale UHB said:
“Stroke is a medical emergency – in the majority of cases, the quicker an individual receives medical intervention then the better are their chances of making a full recovery.
“Currently, stroke performance is measured against four bundles of care, which give an indication of the quality of care that stroke patients receive in hospitals. However, they do not consider the critical role that paramedics play in supporting stroke patients and do not demonstrate how effective the NHS is in responding to the immediate needs of a suspected stroke patient.”
“It is important to realise that with potential strokes time really matters. The measures we are piloting will start from the point at which a 999 call is received. However we are aware that the gap between an individual experiencing stroke symptoms and calling for emergency support can also be far too long.”
Richard Lee, Paramedic and Head of Clinical Services for the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust said:
“Each year in Wales we receive around 11,500 calls for suspected stroke. Not only do we need to ensure that the suspected stroke patient is taken to the most appropriate hospital for treatment as quickly as possible but there are other areas where the ambulance service can positively impact the eventual outcome for a stroke patient.
“We play a critical role in getting patients to the right place for their treatment. Very often these interventions save lives.”
“Our pilot will monitor the entire unscheduled stroke patient journey, from time of call to admission to stroke bed, joining up the available data to ensure patients are receiving the best clinical practice – this will include a CT scan, thrombolysis if appropriate and access to a stroke ward.
“The work we are undertaking will highlight the important roles that paramedics and ambulance crews play in ensuring the safe and effective treatment of a patient prior to their arrival at hospital.”
Health Minister, Mark Drakeford said:
“Measuring how people are better off as a result of health and social care services is a much more powerful way to report, be accountable for and to plan future improvements.
“Stroke remains a real and ongoing issue for Wales. Our population is ageing so the number of people living with a stroke is increasing.
“As well as delivering a much greater chance of survival overall, people with stroke are now assessed, diagnosed and treated more promptly.
“The pilot announced today has been designed by clinicians to make our services even more effective in the future.”
