05.12.12
SSNAP calls for increase in stroke therapists
More stroke therapists are needed to ensure seven day working does not detract from the amount of time spent with each patient, the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) recommends.
There has been little increase in staff numbers working for acute stroke therapy since the previous audit in 2010, and there is wide variation between hospitals, the new report states.
Now 25% of sites have physiotherapy on seven day rotas, up from 12% in 2010, and the average length of patients’ stay has reduced. However, the number of therapists has not changed, indicating that patient contact time is decreasing.
Other areas for improvement include admitting more patients directly to stroke units, as two thirds of sites audited still use medical assessment units from time to time.
Professor Tony Rudd, associate director, Royal College of Physicians’ CEEU, and chair of the Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party said: “Many aspects of stroke care in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have improved dramatically over recent years, showing the success of the national stroke strategies.
“There is however still a lot to do to ensure that all patients receive the highest quality of care, not just in the early days after a stroke but also for the months and years that follow.
“Much more attention now needs to be paid to solving the problem that patients do not receive sufficient rehabilitation either in hospital or in the community, to ensure that they achieve the best possible outcomes.”
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