§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which general hospitals have plans to introduce a specialist stroke service by April 2004; [49733]
(2) what action he will take to ensure that general hospitals without a plan to introduce a specialist stroke service by April 2004 address this issue; [49734]
(3) if all general hospitals providing care for people with strokes have met the April 2002 milestone, as stated in the National Service Framework for Older People, to develop plans for the introduction of a specialist stroke service by April 2004; and if he will make a statement; [49732]
(4) what resources are available to assist general hospitals treating people with stroke to introduce a specialist stroke service by April 2004. [49735]
§ Jacqui SmithThe NHS National Planning Framework for 2002–03, published at the end of last year establishes the delivery of the milestones set within the National Service Framework for Older People including the first Stroke milestone of April 2002 as a national priority for actin and achievement. The year on year increases in the funding of the NHS and social care provide the basis for appropriate financial support and priority setting at local level in relation to the development of stroke care, depending on the starting point in each individual area.
Progress against the April 2002 Stroke milestone will be available in the summer. Informal reports from regional offices indicate that the milestone should be met in all but a few cases. Any hospital identified by the strategic health authority in this monitoring process as not having plans will be offered appropriate advice.