Standards for Stroke Treatment
(a) The Stroke Organisation
The Stroke Association's gold standard of 'treating stroke as a medical emergency' is:

  • For the stroke patient or carer to call 999
  • For the ambulance to transfer the patient directly into a stroke unit
  • For the patient to be scanned within three hours from the onset of symptoms
  • Urgent admission to hospital and rapid access to treatment of stroke can help reduce the number of deaths and lessen the long-term effects.

    Stroke Association 2005
(b) The National Service Framework for Older People, Standard Five: Stroke (NSF5)
People who are thought to have had a stroke:
  1. Should be diagnosed very quickly, by a specialist stroke team in a stroke unit.
    This should include:
    • A brain scan within 48 hours
    • An assessment by everyone involved in their care, so a programme of rehabillitation can be started within 24 hours of diagnosis
  2. Should continue with a planned programme of rehabilitation that starts in hospital and continues seamlessly at home

  3. Should be given long term support that includes:
    • The support of a Stroke Care Co-ordinator who can be contacted for advice and support
    • Advice and information to cut down the risk of a further stroke