A major public conversation on reshaping stroke services in Northern Ireland has been launched.
Dr Brid Farrell, Consultant in Public Health Medicine from the Public Health Agency, explains why changes are necessary in order to save lives and reduce disabilities.
This debate is relevant to the stroke services and/or lack of them at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry and the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick. Health ca
Dr Farrell said: “Stroke is a devastating condition and is the largest cause of acquired severe adult disability in Northern Ireland. This year, over a 1000 people will die from a stroke here and it can happen to anyone, at any age, anytime.
“Death rates from stroke have declined by around 50% over the past 20 years, which is to be welcomed, and there has been significant investment and progress made in relation to a number of areas. For example, new specialist treatments, like pioneering clot removal and clot busting therapy are now available, and community teams are providing expert stroke rehabilitation services across Northern Ireland.
“However, we know that’s it is not enough and we can do better. Stroke services here are provided by skilled, dedicated and hardworking staff, but the current organisation of services sometimes makes it difficult for staff to consistently provide the very best care to patients.
“Independent reports have highlighted that our services nonetheless fall below national standards and there is considerable scope for improvement. Currently, only around half of stroke patients in Northern Ireland are admitted to a stroke unit following assessment in an emergency department; a number of key services to help prevent, treat and provide specialist aftercare are not consistently available on a seven day basis; and stroke survivors have stressed that they find it difficult to access continued support after they leave hospital.
“It is vital we have the specialist staff in place on a 24/7 basis and can provide timely access to the very latest treatments and care across the whole spectrum of stroke services to give patients the best possible chance wherever they are in Northern Ireland.
“This is likely to mean providing services on a fewer number of sites, however, we strongly believe these proposals will lead to better, faster access to experts and rehabilitation services, fewer lifelong disabilities, and will ultimately save more lives.
“Together with stroke professionals, survivors, their carers, and stroke charities, we have developed seven proposals to reshape stroke services in Northern Ireland. This is part of recommendations made in ‘Health and Wellbeing 2026: Delivering Together’ which places a high priority on improving stroke services and also ensuring there is strong involvement and partnership in designing services.
“Over the next 13 weeks we will be holding a series of meetings, engagements and workshops as part of a pre-consultation process, to listen to a wide range of views and to discuss and debate how best to enhance stroke care.
“In particular we want to hear from a wide range of stroke patients and survivors, their carers and families, and organisations who work with those affected by stroke.
“It is important to stress that no decisions have been taken, and we want to ensure there is broad consensus for the key proposals before we start to look in more detail at how and where services will be provided from in the future. Any changes to current services will require a further full consultation and will be subject to available resources.
“You have the unique opportunity to reshape and enhance stroke care in Northern Ireland. So get involved and tell us what your think.
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