§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on access to NHS specialist services for people with stroke; what plans he has to end the postcode variations in care for stroke patients; and if he will make additional resources available for the treatment of this condition. [142835]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 15 December 2000]: "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation" included stroke as a priority for action and proposes a target reduction in stroke mortality of at least two fifths by 2010 for people under 75.
The forthcoming National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People will drive up the quality, and reduce variations in services for older people. It will set national standards and define service models for the health and social care older people receive; put in place programmes to support implementation; and establish milestones and performance indicators against which progress will be measured. It is expected that the NSF will cover conditions prevalent among older people such as stroke and that it will apply to all stroke patients.
The Budget last March provided around £4 billion extra year on year for England for this year and the next three years (ie 2000–01 to 2003–04).