More than £3m to be spent to improve care for stroke patients in North Wales

More than £3m is set to be spent to improve care for stroke patients in North Wales.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is launching a programme which will see three new stroke rehabilitation centres open in the region alongside new prevention, diagnosis and monitoring services.

The centres will cater for patients who no longer need specialist medical care, but still require stroke rehabilitation that cannot be delivered at home.

The region’s health board said the centres were aimed at bridging the current gap in care for people after they have a stroke, giving them the maximum opportunity to recover.

Rob Smith, stroke improvement programme director, said: “This is a fantastic programme and a really important development in stroke care for the people of North Wales.

“The new developments will build on the existing services provided by our specialist hospital stroke staff.

“This a multi-phased project with the new services to be launched as the programme is rolled out.”

Specialist rehabilitation is said to be an essential part of recovery after a stroke, providing significant long term benefits.

The first centre is planned to open in Ysbyty Eryri, Caernarfon, in early spring, with another two centres planned for the central and eastern areas of North Wales.

The programme also includes a new preventative service, where newly recruited stroke specialists will work with GPs to screen patients who may be showing signs that they may have a stroke in the future.

Gareth Bowdler, medical director (East), said: “Ever since the Interstroke study in 2016 was carried out we have known that about 90 per cent of strokes are attributable to 10 modifiable risk factors, and working collaboratively with GPs we will aim to reduce the incidence of stroke by focussing on these risk factors.”

The prevention service will include improving atrial fibrillation detection, an abnormal heart rhythm in patients, and monitoring of people with the condition.

According to the Stroke Association, atrial fibrillation contributes to just under 20 per cent of all strokes in the UK.

The health board is working with the association and the Stroke Survivors group to develop the new programme.

It will also result in the launch of an early supported discharge service, the first in North Wales, which will help patients recover at home, rather than in hospital.

The service will provide specialist stroke recovery support at home, reducing time spent in hospital by 37 per cent for patients.