Scottish Government's Stroke Improvement Plan

John Watson, Associate Director Scotland said:

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s Stroke Improvement Plan (2023) which sets out the commitments Health Boards in Scotland must undertake to ensure equitable and timely access to diagnosis, treatment and care for people with suspected stroke. Stroke is a clinical priority in Scotland, and this ambitious plan reflects the importance of tackling the country’s fourth biggest killer.

“We particularly endorse some of the commitments to improve rehabilitation after stroke, for example six-month reviews for every stroke patient. We are also pleased to see the clear recognition that psychological and emotional support after a stroke needs to be inbuilt to treatment and care for every stroke survivor.

“And whilst a great deal of progress has been made in Scotland since the last stroke strategy, there are huge challenges ahead. We need a national thrombectomy service to be set up as soon as possible. We need it to run around the clock, to ensure all those suitable patients can receive it. We note the thrombectomy commitments and look forward to the ‘detailed plan for further development of the national thrombectomy service’ in the next few months. We expect that document to outline how a national 24/7 service will be delivered, and by when. Patients who could benefit from the procedure continue to miss out on the opportunity to live a live free from disability.

“Strong political and Health Board leadership will underpin success in the delivery of this plan. As a charity, we plan to do our part to ensure stroke is re-prioritised, to help tackle the rising health and social care costs of stroke, but also to improve the devastating personal cost of stroke. This requires working with all interested stakeholders. We look to the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, who is responsible for all stroke care, to lead from the front.“

Notes to Editor

Mechanical Thrombectomy is a highly specialised procedure that involves physically removing a blood clot in the brain which has caused a severe stroke. The treatment is suitable for about 10% of stroke patients. People are more likely to walk and talk again, return to work and live their lives to the full.

You can read the plan here: https://tinyurl.com/2bzfc9zf