A three-million-pound Stroke Improvement Programme is to launch in North Wales.
The programme includes the opening of three stroke rehabilitation centres as well as new prevention, diagnosis and monitoring services.
The centres will support patients requiring stroke rehabilitation support that cannot be delivered in the home.
It is hoped that the specialist services will help bridge the gap in post-stroke care to maximise patient outcomes.
Rob Smith, Stroke Improvement Programme Director at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, 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.”
The Ysbyty Eryri, Caernarfon centre is set to open in early Spring, with further centres planned for central and eastern parts of the region.
Meanwhile, the new preventative service will see newly-recruited specialists work alongside GPs to screen for stroke symptoms.
The service will feature atrial fibrillation (AF) detection and monitoring, with the Health Board working alongside the Stroke Association and Stroke Survivors group to develop the new programme.
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 programme will also introduce North Wales’ first Early Supported Discharge service which will help patients recover at home.
The service aims to reduce time spent in hospital by 37 per cent, leading to increased dependence and improved recovery.
