§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the National Service Framework for Older People will improve access to organised stroke services; and if he will make a statement. [91325]
§ Mr. HuttonAn external reference group (ERG) was set up to advise the Government on the development of the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People. A number of task groups were set up to support the ERG and one of these is looking at stroke. The aim of the NSF for Older People is to improve the quality of, and reduce variations in, NHS services for older people, including older people who have had a stroke.
The ERG will be reporting to Ministers in the coming months and it is too early to anticipate their advice. However, emerging findings will be published in the autumn with the NSF itself following in Spring 2000.