§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of stroke patients were treated in special stroke units in each of the last five years; and what were the survival rates in each case; [24681]
475W(2) what have been the survival rates for stroke patients treated in non-specialist units in each of the last five years. [24682]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 8 January 2002]: The information requested on the percentage of stroke patients treated in special stroke units and the survival rates for stroke patients treated in non-specialist units is not collected centrally.
The Royal College of Physician's sentinel audit published in 1999 did show however, that 18 per cent. of stroke patients spent at least 50 per cent. of their time in a stroke unit. A subsequent audit in 2000 showed that this figure had risen to 26 per cent.
The National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People, published on 27 March 2001, requires 100 per cent. of all general hospitals which care for people with stroke to have a specialised stroke service, as described in the NSF stroke service model, by April 2004.