§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance he has issued to NHS trusts on ensuring that stroke patients are assessed by social services before discharge; [3493]
(2) how many beds were available in specialist stroke units in each of the past five years. [3492]
§ Mr. HuttonThe information requested is not collected centrally. However, many hospitals already have, or plan to introduce, specialist stroke services.
The Department published the National Service Framework for Older People (NSF) on 27 March 2001. It sets out a comprehensive strategy to ensure fair, high quality integrated health and social care and reduce variations in services for older people.
The NSF addresses a number of specific conditions which are significant for, although not limited to, older people. It includes a standard on stroke and service models which should apply to all who need them regardless of age.
The stroke standard provides for stroke prevention, immediate care, early and continuing rehabilitation, and long-term support as components of a service model for integrated specialist stroke services which will build on current arrangements and be in place in all general hospitals which care for people with stroke by April 2004.