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End stroke postcode lottery call End stroke postcode lottery call
(about 1 hour later)
Huge improvements are still needed for stroke services in Wales amid longstanding concerns the country is lagging behind other parts of the UK. Huge improvements are still needed for stroke services in Wales amid longstanding concerns the nation is lagging behind other parts of the UK.
The assembly's health committee says a national plan is needed, with access to treatment varying across the country.The assembly's health committee says a national plan is needed, with access to treatment varying across the country.
It said only half of Welsh hospitals had a stroke unit, none of which have met the minimum physicians association standard in the last two years. It said only half of Welsh hospitals had a stroke unit, none of which have met the minimum physicians' association standard in the last two years.
The assembly government said they would consider the committee's report. The assembly government said it would consider the committee's report.
Concern about stroke services in Wales stretches back to two reports in 2004 and 2006.Concern about stroke services in Wales stretches back to two reports in 2004 and 2006.
The Royal College of Physicians found they had fallen behind England and Northern Ireland - and in 2010, Wales remains the only part of the UK without a dedicated stroke strategy. The Royal College of Physicians found they had fallen behind England and Northern Ireland.
And in 2010, Wales remains the only part of the UK without a dedicated stroke strategy.
External auditsExternal audits
The Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee launched their inquiry after the Royal College of Physicians' external audits. The health, wellbeing and local government committee launched their inquiry after the Royal College of Physicians' external audits.
Our inquiry has shown that some of the original concerns outlined by external audits have yet to be addressed Darren Miller AM, health committeeOur inquiry has shown that some of the original concerns outlined by external audits have yet to be addressed Darren Miller AM, health committee
In a report published on Monday it said some improvements have been made but the level of care available still depends on where patients live.In a report published on Monday it said some improvements have been made but the level of care available still depends on where patients live.
It recommends bringing in "stroke champions" to hospitals and creating more dedicated stroke units as part of a national strategy to end the postcode lottery that surrounds access to specialist services.It recommends bringing in "stroke champions" to hospitals and creating more dedicated stroke units as part of a national strategy to end the postcode lottery that surrounds access to specialist services.
The committee was also concerned at current ambulance response times, the lack of a register of stroke patients in Wales, and the inadequate levels of training for staff working in stroke services.The committee was also concerned at current ambulance response times, the lack of a register of stroke patients in Wales, and the inadequate levels of training for staff working in stroke services.
It recommends the clearer allocation of funding for these services, sending fully crewed ambulances to patients in "emergency" response times and raising public awareness to get key messages across, such as that strokes can be preventable.It recommends the clearer allocation of funding for these services, sending fully crewed ambulances to patients in "emergency" response times and raising public awareness to get key messages across, such as that strokes can be preventable.
It also insists the practice of putting stroke patients onto general wards should be phased out "as a matter of urgency" and calls for health boards to employ at least one clinical psychologist or psychotherapist with responsibility for stroke.It also insists the practice of putting stroke patients onto general wards should be phased out "as a matter of urgency" and calls for health boards to employ at least one clinical psychologist or psychotherapist with responsibility for stroke.
'Tackle issues''Tackle issues'
Committee chair Darren Millar AM said it was "vital" their recommendations were acted upon as strokes are the third most common cause of death in the UK.Committee chair Darren Millar AM said it was "vital" their recommendations were acted upon as strokes are the third most common cause of death in the UK.
"Unfortunately, our inquiry has shown that some of the original concerns outlined by these external audits have yet to be addressed, although some improvements have been made," he said."Unfortunately, our inquiry has shown that some of the original concerns outlined by these external audits have yet to be addressed, although some improvements have been made," he said.
"The committee urges the Welsh government to consider establishing an all-Wales stroke strategy led by stroke champions or team leaders who can tackle these issues and bring Welsh services up to the same level as the rest of the UK.""The committee urges the Welsh government to consider establishing an all-Wales stroke strategy led by stroke champions or team leaders who can tackle these issues and bring Welsh services up to the same level as the rest of the UK."
The assembly government said it will consider the report and respond in due course.The assembly government said it will consider the report and respond in due course.