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Stroke

Related Links

Promoting cardiovascular health: the stroke risk reduction action plan

The action plan will support people to lead healthier lifestyles and raise awareness of the risk factors for stroke.

An estimated 10,000 to 11,000 people in Wales suffer a stroke each year.

The effects of stroke can be both devastating and life-changing. Tackling stroke is one of the top priorities for health and social services.

The standards for stroke services in Wales are contained within the 2006 National Service Framework for Older People in Wales. The standards have three main aims:

  • preventing stroke;
  • improving stroke survival rates; and
  • maximising post-stroke independent living and quality of life.

Over the last 18 months work has taken place to improve stroke services across Wales. The focus has been on improvements in acute stroke care, as there is evidence that good quality care immediately following a stroke will optimise outcomes for patients and reduce the need for complex rehabilitation.  

Ensuring Progress

Each Local Health Board will have a designated executive lead for stroke who will be responsible for leading the programme of improvements at a local level. They will be supported at an all Wales level by a National Clinical Lead and Champion for Stroke. All these resources are coordinated  through the All Wales Stroke Delivery Group.  Alongside these arrangements the Wales Stroke Alliance provides the NHS and the Welsh Assembly Government with multi-disciplinary expert and clinical advice on stroke services.

Related links

Stroke Services Improvement Programme (external link)

1000 lives plus Campaign (external link)