Patients are being well-supported in coping with life after stroke in Bradford and Airedale, according to a major review of services by a health and social care watchdog published today.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) Stroke Review 2010 looks at the care experienced by people who have had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and their carers.

It starts from the point people prepare to leave hospital, to the long-term care and support they could need to cope with stroke-related disabilities.

It looks at health and adult social care, as well as relevant services, such as support groups and services to help people participate in community life.

The CQC looked at 15 aspects of care and gave each a score from one to five and then compared how different areas performed, putting them in one of four categories – best performing, better performing, fair performing and least well performing.

The overall assessment for Bradford and Airedale found they were in the best performing category. Bradford and Airedale scored the top two marks in several areas, including helping people choose the services they want, involving stroke survivors and carers in planning, and developing services and working well together across health and social services to provide “joined-up” stroke care services.

Cheryl Kirby, senior manager for Bradford and Airedale Community Services, said: “Across Bradford and Airedale, our aim is to provide a holistic service and seamless care for people who have suffered a stroke through a multi-disciplinary team qualified to meet all their health and social care needs.

“Each patient has an individual care plan, advice is offered to their family and carers, and expert support is given by a nurse to patients to help them when they are discharged from hospital into the community.” Julia MacLeod, head of operations for The Stroke Association in Yorkshire and The Humber, said: “This important report from the CQC has put five out of the 12 PCTs in Yorkshire and The Humber in the top quarter for stroke care across the UK, with only one PCT (Calderdale) appearing in the bottom quarter.

“However, the report does show that thousands of people don’t have access to specialist stroke services in the community when they leave hospital. In many areas, essential treatments such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support are not available to stroke survivors.

“It is estimated 2,400 people in Bradford are left with a long-term health condition due to a stroke every year. The NHS and social services should base their services on a clear understanding of the needs, experiences and priorities of people who have had a stroke and their carers.

“The Stroke Association has seen several community-based services come under threat of closure. This comes at a time when evidence suggests more, not less, investment is needed to help stroke survivors in the community with their recovery. We therefore urge all commissioners to incorporate the findings of this report into their future plans”.

CASE STUDY

Margaret Coppack, whose husband Ray suffered a stroke eight years ago, said she had seen services improve over the years for stroke patients in Bradford and Airedale.

Improvements include the employment of three co-ordinators from The Stroke Association who take referrals from local hospitals to make sure patients are accessing the services they need, daily clinics for patients who have suffered a TIA and new surgery improving outcomes for some patients.

“The people I come into contact with through running Wibsey Stroke Group say services are getting better and better and that is really good, but I still think there is a long way to go,” said Mrs Coppack, of Queensbury, who is pictured with her husband.

“It would be nice to see stroke services at the same high quality as those for patients who have had a heart attack or cancer.

“Stroke results in the highest form of disability and it would be nice to see services up at the same level.”

For more information on the stroke support group which meets once a month in Wibsey, call Mrs Coppack on 07999803396.