Latest news with #SSNAP
The Guardian
a day ago
- Health
- The Guardian
NHS repeatedly failing in care of stroke patients, watchdog says
The NHS has repeatedly failed in its diagnosis and care of stroke patients, England's health ombudsman has said. According to the World Stroke Association, more than 12 million people worldwide will have their first stroke this year and 6.5 million will die as a result. Strokes are one of the UK's biggest killers, causing about 34,000 deaths a year, and the single biggest cause of severe disability. The NHS Fast campaign aims to raise awareness of the most common symptoms of stroke – facial drooping, arm weakness and slurred speech – and the need for prompt treatment, including transfer to a specialist stroke unit within four hours. Without it, a stroke can result in death or long-term disabilities such as paralysis, memory loss and communication problems. Figures from the Sentinel stroke national audit programme (SSNAP), which assesses the quality of stroke care in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, show that just 46.6% of patients are directly admitted to a specialist stroke unit within four hours of symptoms starting. The ombudsman looks into cases where a patient or family has complained to an NHS care provider but been dissatisfied with the outcome. It is seen as a last resort once other complaints procedures have been exhausted. The ombudsman said the number of investigations it had conducted over poor stroke care, including not spotting symptoms and delays to diagnosis, rose by two-thirds in the four financial years to March 2025, from 17 to 28. The number of complaints also rose over this period from 318 to 396. Rebecca Hilsenrath, the chief executive of England's health ombudsman service, said these included repeated failings in diagnosis, nursing care, communication, and treatment of patients with strokes. 'Over the past four years we have seen a significant rise in the number of complaints and investigations related to people who have suffered a stroke, including typical and atypical presentations. This is particularly concerning as early diagnosis is crucial in giving patients the best opportunity for successful treatment and recovery,' she said. 'These investigations all represent instances where organisations involved have not identified a failing. It is important that the NHS operates in a learning culture and that when things go wrong clinicians recognise what has happened and put it right for those involved, as well as improve care and treatment for future patients.' The ombudsman said clinicians needed to act more quickly when they suspect a stroke, even if the patient presents with atypical symptoms. They also should improve communication and collaboration to make treatment more joined up. Juliet Bouverie, the chief executive of the Stroke Association, said the findings were 'deeply concerning'. She said: 'Whilst dedicated stroke professionals provide compassionate care, without urgent investment and action, stroke patients will continue to face unacceptable variations in treatment and support. We're also calling for a wider cardiovascular plan, with a focus on stroke, to ensure stroke survivors have the best chance of making a good recovery.' Prof Martin James, the SSNAP clinical director, said: 'In the national stroke audit we have seen a significant fall in the proportion of patients with acute stroke who are getting specialist care and treatment in a timely fashion on a stroke unit. 'We know that this reflects a whole range of acute pressures on hospitals that are not unique to stroke, but we also know how important that timely specialist care can be for reducing complications and disability after stroke, so it must be a priority for all hospitals to provide access to a specialist stroke unit within four hours of arrival for all their patients.'
BBC News
22-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Runners carry washing machines in memory of SSNAP fundraiser
A charity run has taken place in memory of a fundraiser who repeatedly ran the Oxford half marathon with a washing machine on his Realey, who was a leader at SSNAP (Supporting Sick Newborn and their Parents), died in his sleep in his honour, 26 volunteers took part in a charity challenge in Wantage, taking it in turns to run one mile (1.6km) with the kitchen appliance strapped to said: "Every step, every ache, every mile is a tribute to Martin's spirit and a step towards helping newborns and their families get the care they need." The challenge took place at the charity's Summer Garden Party at Grove Rugby supports sick and premature babies and their families in the Newborn Care Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Following Mr Realey's death, Kerri Knibbs, SSNAP's chair of the board of trustees, described him as a "friend, father, sportsman, inspirational fundraiser and a proud ex-paratrooper".Organisers of the Oxford half marathon said his "unwavering dedication to SSNAP and the families it supports was nothing short of inspirational", while the Oxford Hospitals Charity called him a "passionate and charismatic charity leader". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
South Wales Guardian
19-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Charity expresses concern over ‘decline' in stroke after-care
A new snapshot poll of stroke care found that just under a quarter (24.8%) of stroke patients received a speech and language therapy (SLT) assessment within 24 hours of arrival at hospital, and less than half get this check within 72 hours. The Stroke Association said that around a third of stroke survivors will suffer aphasia – a language and communication disability, which leaves people struggling to speak, read, write or understand language. ⚠️Every day in May, 240 people will wake up to the life-changing impact of a stroke This #StrokeAwarenessMonth, help raise awareness of the impact of stroke so that the Stroke Association can help more people find strength through support. ➡️ — North East and North Cumbria NHS (@NENC_NHS) May 7, 2025 And speech and language therapy is most effective the sooner it is delivered after a stroke, it said. But according to its easement of the latest data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), the amount of time spent delivering speech and language therapy in hospital has declined by 10% in the last five years. It is recommended that rehabilitation after a stroke which also includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy should be provided for a minimum of three hours a day, five times a week in the aftermath of a stroke. However the charity said that data from the audit – which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland – from October to December last year suggests that just over a third (35%) are getting the recommended levels of support. The charity is calling for all stroke patients to get the recommended levels of speech and language therapy. It is also calling for stroke survivors to have a six-month review after the figures suggest that only 39% were given this 'vital' assessment in the last three months to 2024. Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: 'It is unacceptable that vital speech and language therapy assessments for stroke survivors have declined in recent years. 'Losing the ability to communicate after a stroke can be one of the scariest and most unsettling aspects in the early stages after a stroke. 'In the long-term, speech and language therapy plays a huge part in boosting a stroke survivor's overall quality of life to support good mental health by helping to ensure they can enjoy the simple pleasure of communication. 'Whilst the skill, effort and true dedication of the NHS workforce cannot be questioned, there is a real and urgent need to recruit, train and retain more staff who can provide rehabilitation tailored to the needs of individual stroke survivors for as long as they need it.' Kelly Williams, 55, from Birmingham had two strokes in 2017 which left her with aphasia and unable to say her own name for three years. She said that it was 'days 'before she received her speech and language assessment in hospital and that she did not have any speech therapy in hospital at all. She also had to wait until she was given care in the community. 'I knew nothing about what was happening to me, my family were confused because they didn't know how to communicate with me,' said Ms Williams. 'What I needed was someone to tell me that I had aphasia, what that meant, and what I could do about it – but no one did. 'I am so grateful for my care from NHS staff, but it upsets me when I see so many people struggling, especially those who have received little or no help from speech and language therapy – those assessments are vital.' A Welsh Government spokesperson said it funds multi-professional rehabilitation support workers with £200,000 each year, adding: 'All health boards in Wales provide specialist speech and language therapy services for people with a range of conditions, including stroke.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We are committed to improving stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery through our 10 Year Health Plan, including making sure we have the right staff in the right place to deliver the care patients need when they need it.' A spokesperson for the Department of Health Northern Ireland added: 'The Stroke Action Plan recognises that there are pressures within the stroke service and the stroke workforce, whilst recognising the huge efforts made by all staff to provide high quality care. 'The department is currently progressing a stroke workforce review which is tasked with planning for a stroke workforce of the right size, with the right skills, deployed in the right way to deliver safe, effective and quality stroke services, based on data, evidence and analysis of current and future population health needs.'
Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Charity expresses concern over ‘decline' in stroke after-care
Thousands of stroke survivors are missing out on timely vital speech assessments in the aftermath of their stroke, a charity has said. A new snapshot poll of stroke care found that just under a quarter (24.8%) of stroke patients received a speech and language therapy (SLT) assessment within 24 hours of arrival at hospital, and less than half get this check within 72 hours. The Stroke Association said that around a third of stroke survivors will suffer aphasia – a language and communication disability, which leaves people struggling to speak, read, write or understand language. ⚠️Every day in May, 240 people will wake up to the life-changing impact of a stroke This #StrokeAwarenessMonth, help raise awareness of the impact of stroke so that the Stroke Association can help more people find strength through support. ➡️ — North East and North Cumbria NHS (@NENC_NHS) May 7, 2025 And speech and language therapy is most effective the sooner it is delivered after a stroke, it said. But according to its easement of the latest data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), the amount of time spent delivering speech and language therapy in hospital has declined by 10% in the last five years. It is recommended that rehabilitation after a stroke which also includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy should be provided for a minimum of three hours a day, five times a week in the aftermath of a stroke. However the charity said that data from the audit – which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland – from October to December last year suggests that just over a third (35%) are getting the recommended levels of support. The charity is calling for all stroke patients to get the recommended levels of speech and language therapy. It is also calling for stroke survivors to have a six-month review after the figures suggest that only 39% were given this 'vital' assessment in the last three months to 2024. Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: 'It is unacceptable that vital speech and language therapy assessments for stroke survivors have declined in recent years. 'Losing the ability to communicate after a stroke can be one of the scariest and most unsettling aspects in the early stages after a stroke. 'In the long-term, speech and language therapy plays a huge part in boosting a stroke survivor's overall quality of life to support good mental health by helping to ensure they can enjoy the simple pleasure of communication. 'Whilst the skill, effort and true dedication of the NHS workforce cannot be questioned, there is a real and urgent need to recruit, train and retain more staff who can provide rehabilitation tailored to the needs of individual stroke survivors for as long as they need it.' Kelly Williams, 55, from Birmingham had two strokes in 2017 which left her with aphasia and unable to say her own name for three years. She said that it was 'days 'before she received her speech and language assessment in hospital and that she did not have any speech therapy in hospital at all. She also had to wait until she was given care in the community. 'I knew nothing about what was happening to me, my family were confused because they didn't know how to communicate with me,' said Ms Williams. 'What I needed was someone to tell me that I had aphasia, what that meant, and what I could do about it – but no one did. 'I am so grateful for my care from NHS staff, but it upsets me when I see so many people struggling, especially those who have received little or no help from speech and language therapy – those assessments are vital.' A Welsh Government spokesperson said it funds multi-professional rehabilitation support workers with £200,000 each year, adding: 'All health boards in Wales provide specialist speech and language therapy services for people with a range of conditions, including stroke.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We are committed to improving stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery through our 10 Year Health Plan, including making sure we have the right staff in the right place to deliver the care patients need when they need it.' A spokesperson for the Department of Health Northern Ireland added: 'The Stroke Action Plan recognises that there are pressures within the stroke service and the stroke workforce, whilst recognising the huge efforts made by all staff to provide high quality care. 'The department is currently progressing a stroke workforce review which is tasked with planning for a stroke workforce of the right size, with the right skills, deployed in the right way to deliver safe, effective and quality stroke services, based on data, evidence and analysis of current and future population health needs.'
South Wales Argus
19-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Charity expresses concern over ‘decline' in stroke after-care
A new snapshot poll of stroke care found that just under a quarter (24.8%) of stroke patients received a speech and language therapy (SLT) assessment within 24 hours of arrival at hospital, and less than half get this check within 72 hours. The Stroke Association said that around a third of stroke survivors will suffer aphasia – a language and communication disability, which leaves people struggling to speak, read, write or understand language. ⚠️Every day in May, 240 people will wake up to the life-changing impact of a stroke This #StrokeAwarenessMonth, help raise awareness of the impact of stroke so that the Stroke Association can help more people find strength through support. ➡️ — North East and North Cumbria NHS (@NENC_NHS) May 7, 2025 And speech and language therapy is most effective the sooner it is delivered after a stroke, it said. But according to its easement of the latest data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), the amount of time spent delivering speech and language therapy in hospital has declined by 10% in the last five years. It is recommended that rehabilitation after a stroke which also includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy should be provided for a minimum of three hours a day, five times a week in the aftermath of a stroke. However the charity said that data from the audit – which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland – from October to December last year suggests that just over a third (35%) are getting the recommended levels of support. The charity is calling for all stroke patients to get the recommended levels of speech and language therapy. It is also calling for stroke survivors to have a six-month review after the figures suggest that only 39% were given this 'vital' assessment in the last three months to 2024. Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: 'It is unacceptable that vital speech and language therapy assessments for stroke survivors have declined in recent years. 'Losing the ability to communicate after a stroke can be one of the scariest and most unsettling aspects in the early stages after a stroke. 'In the long-term, speech and language therapy plays a huge part in boosting a stroke survivor's overall quality of life to support good mental health by helping to ensure they can enjoy the simple pleasure of communication. 'Whilst the skill, effort and true dedication of the NHS workforce cannot be questioned, there is a real and urgent need to recruit, train and retain more staff who can provide rehabilitation tailored to the needs of individual stroke survivors for as long as they need it.' Kelly Williams, 55, from Birmingham had two strokes in 2017 which left her with aphasia and unable to say her own name for three years. She said that it was 'days 'before she received her speech and language assessment in hospital and that she did not have any speech therapy in hospital at all. Kelly Williams, 55, from Birmingham had two strokes in 2017 and said it was 'days' before she received a speech and language assessment (Stroke Association/PA) She also had to wait until she was given care in the community. 'I knew nothing about what was happening to me, my family were confused because they didn't know how to communicate with me,' said Ms Williams. 'What I needed was someone to tell me that I had aphasia, what that meant, and what I could do about it – but no one did. 'I am so grateful for my care from NHS staff, but it upsets me when I see so many people struggling, especially those who have received little or no help from speech and language therapy – those assessments are vital.' A Welsh Government spokesperson said it funds multi-professional rehabilitation support workers with £200,000 each year, adding: 'All health boards in Wales provide specialist speech and language therapy services for people with a range of conditions, including stroke.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We are committed to improving stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery through our 10 Year Health Plan, including making sure we have the right staff in the right place to deliver the care patients need when they need it.' A spokesperson for the Department of Health Northern Ireland added: 'The Stroke Action Plan recognises that there are pressures within the stroke service and the stroke workforce, whilst recognising the huge efforts made by all staff to provide high quality care. 'The department is currently progressing a stroke workforce review which is tasked with planning for a stroke workforce of the right size, with the right skills, deployed in the right way to deliver safe, effective and quality stroke services, based on data, evidence and analysis of current and future population health needs.'
