Harney acknowledges deficiencies in stroke services

Minister for Health Mary Harney today acknowledged that services for stroke patients in Ireland were deficient and needed to be enhanced.

She was responding to the publication of the first National Audit of Stroke Carewhich found that only one hospital in the country has a dedicated stroke unit.

This is despite the fact that such units are the recommended standard to deliver optimal care for stroke patients and are known to reduce death and disability.

The report, carried out by the Irish Heart Foundation, said between 350 to 500 deaths a year could be prevented if organised stroke unit care was provided in the State.

Ms Harney said the audit highlighted a number of areas where "clinical care and the organisation of stroke services could be enhanced".

She said a special cardiovascular policy review group was considering the report’s findings and would be making recommendations to her Department in the summer.

“My key concern is that individuals at risk of stroke, or those who suffer from the consequences of a stroke, are provided with high quality preventative and treatment services,” she said.

The report found only 1 per cent of patients who might benefit from thrombolysis clot busting therapy immediately after the onset of a stroke were being assessed for this therapy.

It also identified long waiting times for speech therapy and occupational therapy services and these varied between HSE regions.

Labour’s health spokeswoman Jan O’Sullivan said the study highlighted the glaring deficiencies that stroke victims and their families are forced to endure.

“It is also appalling that there are only 12 dedicated stroke beds nationally despite the fact that optimal stroke care requires protected beds in hospitals,” she said.

She called on Minister for Health Mary Harney and Health Service Executive chief Professor Brendan Drumm to appoint a high-level working group, tasked with coming up with a plan of action.

“Such a group should be put together in the coming days and should report back in weeks,” she said.

In its response to the report, the Health Service Executive said it was finalising an evaluation of its current level of stroke services which it will publish in the next few weeks.

The HSE said the evaluation has so far identified 14 hospitals where stroke services have begun to be developed.

“While death rates from stroke have decreased in recent years, the level of hospital activity has remained largely unchanged,” it said.

“This reflects increased life expectancy and longer survival of patients at risk of stroke,” it said.