§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to his answer of 27 October 2003,Official Report, column 99W, on stroke, how the stroke units that do not have rehabilitation stroke beds seek to rehabilitate their patients; [138930]
(2) pursuant to his answers of 27 October 2003, Official Report, column 99W and 23 October 2003, Official Report, column 736W, on strokes, whether he intends that specialist stroke units should have separate acute care and rehabilitation units; and whether a combined unit is sufficient to meet the stroke service target. [139011]
§ Dr. LadymanThe stroke service model in the national service framework for older people states that an integrated stroke service will involve specialist stroke services providing acute care and rehabilitation. Decisions on how that rehabilitation will be provided are best taken at a local level. Different models of care may emerge, but we anticipate that most trusts will establish a rehabilitation stroke unit.
The target of all general hospitals that care for people with stroke to have a specialised stroke service by April 2004, as described in the stroke service model, is well on its way to being met. 94 per cent. of the hospitals that provide stroke care now have a specialised stroke service.
§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which general hospitals which care for people who have had strokes have not developed plans to introduce a specialised stroke service from 2004. [137932]
§ Dr. Ladyman171 out of 181 hospitals which provide stroke services are planning to meet the target on time. Officials are in discussions with those who may not meet the target and hope to meet them in the near future to identify what central support we can provide to help them achieve the target.