Health and care leaders set out consultation plans for changes to local stroke services

Health and
care leaders in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) are
today (Monday 15 March) setting out plans to proceed to public consultation on
major changes to the area’s stroke services.

Stroke is
the fourth biggest killer in the UK, and a leading cause of disability.1 in 50
BNSSG residents live with its long-term consequences, and people from socially
deprived areas experience stroke around five years earlier on average than
those in affluent ones.

The area’s
Stroke Programme Board – made up of stroke survivors, senior clinicians and
staff – has been working together to redesign services in line with national
standards and ensure that more lives are saved from stroke each year. Detailed
consultation proposals will be made available over the summer.

The local
Clinical Commissioning Group – which will run the consultation process – hopes
to hear from as many people as possible in response to the proposals and will
set out its plans to ensure a wide-reaching and effective public consultation
at a key council meeting today.

Dr Chris
Burton, Clinical Lead for the Stroke Programme and Medical Director at North
Bristol NHS Trust, said:

“This often
devastating condition touches many lives. Five people a day experience a stroke
in BNSSG.

“Our aims
are twofold: we want to prevent more strokes from happening in the first place
and ensure everyone has the best possible chance to survive and thrive after
stroke.

“Fortunately,
there’s a growing body of national evidence on the best ways of doing this, and
combined with the expertise of local clinicians, staff and stroke survivors,
we’re putting together some really strong proposals for change.

“Our next
step will be to share these through a public consultation over the summer.
We’re keen to hear from as many people as possible – stroke survivors, family
and carers, health and care staff, and interested members of the public. When
we launch our consultation we will make sure there is plenty of publicity to
urge people to get involved, and explain how to do so.

“Any one of
us could need to use stroke services at some point and we have a fantastic
opportunity to get this right for the long-term. We want to create a service
that combines the very best specialist hospital care with high-quality
rehabilitation support at home and in the community – wherever you live in
BNSSG.”

The CCG
plans to run a 12 week public consultation over the summer. All the details
will be published on its website and there will be a range of ways for people
to have their say, both in person (Covid restrictions permitting) and online.

Our Stroke Health Integration Team and its patient and public involvement group has been working closely with the Programme Board to redevelop local stroke services. Read more about their involvement here.