§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department's 2003–04 Priorities and Planning Guidance will require action from hospitals on developing specialist stroke services; and if he will make a statement. [82705]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Department's 2003–06 priorities and planning framework requires that by April 2004 all general hospitals caring for people with stroke have a specialised stroke service. The national service 145W framework for older people established the development of an integrated stroke service and improvements in the delivery of stroke care as a priority.