§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health
(1) which NHS trusts employ (a) stroke nurse consultants and (b) stroke liaison nurses; [28051]
(2) how many NHS Trusts have in place a multidisciplinary programme of secondary prevention and rehabilitation for those who have suffered strokes; [28052]
764W(3) which stroke rehabilitation units admit people under the age of 55 years [28050]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 17 January 2002]: The information requested is not collected centrally. However, the National Service Framework for Older People includes a standard for stroke. The service model for integrated stroke services and the milestones for action apply equally to all stroke patients, irrespective of age.
It is the role of health authorities, in partnership with primary care groups and trusts, to decide what services to provide for their populations including the employment of stroke nurses. They are best placed to understand local health needs and commission services to meet them.
The NSF will need to cover or link to prevention, acute care, rehabilitation and long-term support for stroke patients and their carers. April 2002 is the milestone for every general hospital which cares for people with stroke to have plans to introduce a specialised stroke service from 2004.