SERIOUS DEFICITS in the way stroke patients are treated in the Irish healthcare system are outlined in stark terms in a new report which says the way services are currently organised is costing patients' lives.
The first major audit of stroke care in the Republic, carried out by researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Trinity College Dublin, has found that only one hospital in the country has a dedicated stroke unit, even though these units are the recommended standard to deliver optimal care for stroke patients and are known to reduce death and disability.
The only one in existence is at Dublin's Mater hospital.
It also 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.
Patients must have a CT scan before getting the therapy, but the report found many Irish hospitals did not have access to facilities for brain scanning.In addition, the audit reveals the quality of care stroke patients get is determined by chance.
There are often long waiting times for speech therapy and occupational therapy services and these varied between HSE regions.
"In some areas, a waiting list of up to a year was reported for speech and language therapy services." Services for patients under 65 years who have a stroke are described as extremely limited.
"Across HSE regions, it was reported that there were better dedicated services for persons with stroke aged 65 and over, with no or very little funding for those under 65 years of age.
"Thus, for example, situations arose where people in their 50s with stroke were not entitled to rehabilitation or home care packages and, as a result, were placed in nursing homes indefinitely," it said. "Availability of services of proven efficacy for those admitted to hospital with stroke is deeply inadequate and is in marked contrast to the situation in the UK," it said.
As a result, according to Dr Brian Maurer, medical director of the Irish Heart Foundation, which commissioned the audit, too many people die after having a stroke in the Republic and too many survivors are left with avoidable and unduly prolonged disability.
The National Audit of Stroke Care, to be published today, says it is likely that if organised stroke unit care was provided in the State some 350 to 500 deaths a year could then be prevented.
A recommendation was made to the Government eight years ago in relation to the provision of dedicated stroke units but it was not acted on.
About 10,000 people are admitted with stroke to hospital in the Republic each year.