The CQC's review of English health and social care services for people who have had a stroke and their carers in England has identified Oxfordshire as one of the best performing areas in the country.
The review looked at care from the point of view of people who have had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA or 'mini-stroke'), and their carers. It looked at the care provided along the whole care pathway: in hospital through to discharge and out into the community for ongoing health and social care.
The improvements to stroke services in the county can be attributed to the committed partnership between NHS Oxfordshire, the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Oxford, Community Health Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire County Council.
There have been developments throughout the treatment process. Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals and the University of Oxford have led the advances in acute stroke and TIA specialist services. Community Health Oxfordshire has provided more opportunities for specialist rehabilitation through the opening of two stroke rehabilitation units in the county in 2009. In addition, a new service has started to enable people to receive rehabilitation in their own homes through early supported discharge.
Sylvie Thorn, Stroke Service Development Manager for NHS Oxfordshire, said "These improvements have come as a result of all staff working together in a co-ordinated way whether they work in hospital, community or social care services, in order to develop stroke services that deliver quality care for patients.
"We are now seeing more patients able to return home who require less ongoing support after their rehabilitation. This is due to the improvements in care throughout their treatment in hospital and their rehabilitation. A county Stroke Forum has been set up to give stroke survivors and their carers a voice in the development and delivery of stroke services in the future."
The review highlighted that stroke services in Oxfordshire performed well in supporting people who have had a stroke. Oxfordshire County Council appointed a stroke advisor to work with colleagues in health care to provide information and signposting for stroke survivors and their carers, specifically around rehabilitation services to help meet their individual needs and personal preferences. In addition, new services are in place to support stroke survivors to make changes to their lifestyle to minimise the risk of a second stroke.
This joined up programme of work has seen patient average length of stays in acute hospital reduce from 19 days in 2009 to 7 days in 2010, with more people receiving their rehabilitation through early supported discharge.
Contact: NHS Oxfordshire Media Team
Contact Details: 01865 334640