Scottish stroke care falls short of target

Scotland’s stroke care has been branded "utterly shameful" after new figures revealed it has fallen 12 per cent short of the Scottish Government target.

The Scottish Stroke Care Audit Improvement Programme report, released today, revealed just 68 per cent of Scottish stroke patients were given “appropriate care” in 2018, despite the national target being set at 80 per cent.

Highland was the worst performing health board, with only 48 per cent of stroke patients receiving appropriate care - as outlined in the Scottish Stroke Care Standards - and the report stated the board "continues to give rise to concern".

Dumfries and Galloway recorded 63 per cent and Lothian 64 per cent.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton said the Scottish Government was “failing to deal with the problem effectively”.

“These figures are utterly shameful,” he said.

“Strokes affect thousands of Scots, and not just the elderly. It’s the third biggest killer in this country and the Scottish Government are failing to deal with the problem effectively.

“The substandard state of stroke care reveals the real damage that funding pressures are still having on patient health.

“The Health Secretary must act to ensure all health boards have the support and resources they need.”

Scottish hospitals admitted 9,641 stroke patients in 2018, and an additional 1,085 were seen at neurovascular clinics.

The number of patients who received thrombolysis was 1,033 in 2018, similar to the number in 2017, which was 1,056.