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National Audit Office Press Notice

Joining forces to deliver improved stroke care

THIS STATEMENT IS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON MONDAY 19 OF MARCH 2007

19 March 2007
ISBN: 0348100167
Price: £19.95

The Department of Health has suggested that as many as 10 lives a week might be saved as a result of the Department’s accepting National Audit Office recommendations for improving stroke care.

How to deliver improved stroke services is the subject of a book published today by the National Audit Office. Stroke afflicts more than 130,000 people of all ages in England every year. It is one of the top three causes of death in England and at least 300,000 people are living with disabilities as a result of stroke.

Karen Taylor, Director for Health at the National Audit Office, said: “Stroke has a huge impact on hundreds of thousands of lives in this country and until recently has not received the attention that it clearly deserves. Our report to Parliament, published in 2005, has had a marked impact on raising the profile of stroke care in the UK, which costs the nation around £7 billion a year, including direct costs to the NHS of nearly £3 billion a year.

“We are heartened at the Department of Health’s response to our work and its clear acknowledgement of the need for change. It is right that stroke has now become a national priority.

“We hope this book will show NHS staff the impact they can have in dealing with incidents of stroke and recognise how effective they can be in helping stroke survivors’ have a better quality of life.”

Joining forces to deliver improved stroke care highlights what works in stroke care, and what more can and should be done regarding an illness that devastates families and leaves many survivors with serious disabilities.

The book is intended to be read by everyone involved in the delivery and management of stroke care; it includes clinicians and patients telling their stories about their personal experiences.

The book also includes links to a DVD of patients' stories that show what life after stroke is like and how health and social services can save lives and make a difference to a patient's quality of life after stroke.

Since the NAO report was published, the Department of Health has taken the issues raised seriously and is developing a comprehensive national stroke strategy. The new book provides an overview of recent developments and initiatives in stroke care and highlights initiatives recently launched by the Department of Health.

Roger Boyle, National Clinical Director for Heart Disease and Stroke, said:

“The Department of Health is taking the issues raised by the NAO report very seriously and is working with stakeholders to develop a national stroke strategy. I am confident we can produce a comprehensive and effective strategy for delivering real improvements in stroke services. The findings from the NAO’s Joining Forces Conference, publicised through this book, make a significant contribution to that work.”

Notes for Editors:

  1. Press notices and reports are available from the date of publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk. Hard copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702 3474.
  2. The Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, is the head of the National Audit Office which employs some 850 staff. He and the NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which departments and other bodies have used their resources.

Press Notice 02/07
All enquiries to Donna Watson, NAO Press Office:
Tel: 020 7798 7038
Mobile: 07917 555 388