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Preventative stroke op 'lacking' Preventative stroke op 'lacking'
(1 day later)
Fears are being raised about whether people at risk of a major stroke in the UK are getting surgery quickly enough to help prevent an attack.Fears are being raised about whether people at risk of a major stroke in the UK are getting surgery quickly enough to help prevent an attack.
Many people who suffer so-called mini-strokes can have the risk of a full attack cut by having artery surgery.Many people who suffer so-called mini-strokes can have the risk of a full attack cut by having artery surgery.
This is meant to be done within two weeks, but in a study of 5,500 patients this only happened in a fifth of cases.This is meant to be done within two weeks, but in a study of 5,500 patients this only happened in a fifth of cases.
The government said standards had been improving since the British Medical Journal study was done.The government said standards had been improving since the British Medical Journal study was done.
The report, by researchers at St George's University in London, found slow diagnosis and poorly organised hospital services meant patients were being put an unnecessary risk. The report, carried out by the Royal College of Physicians and the Vascular Society, found slow diagnosis and poorly organised hospital services meant patients were being put an unnecessary risk.
The Stroke Association wants to see substantial progress in the coming months to remove all of the delays in treating TIA Joe Korner, of the Stroke AssociationThe Stroke Association wants to see substantial progress in the coming months to remove all of the delays in treating TIA Joe Korner, of the Stroke Association
Every year 120,000 people in the UK have a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) - or mini-stroke as it is sometimes referred to.Every year 120,000 people in the UK have a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) - or mini-stroke as it is sometimes referred to.
These can act as an early warning that a major stroke could be just around the corner.These can act as an early warning that a major stroke could be just around the corner.
About 80% of such patients can benefit from surgery to tackle narrow or blocked carotid arteries in the neck.About 80% of such patients can benefit from surgery to tackle narrow or blocked carotid arteries in the neck.
But despite official guidelines saying this type of surgery should be done within two weeks of symptoms of a mini-stroke, just 20% of the relevant patients did.But despite official guidelines saying this type of surgery should be done within two weeks of symptoms of a mini-stroke, just 20% of the relevant patients did.
Nearly a third had to wait more than 12 weeks - and that is before those who did not even receive surgery are taken into account.Nearly a third had to wait more than 12 weeks - and that is before those who did not even receive surgery are taken into account.
Researchers said the delays were "unacceptable", adding major improvements were needed.Researchers said the delays were "unacceptable", adding major improvements were needed.
The study looked at patients during 2005 to 2007 and since then the government in England has set out its stroke strategy to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment.The study looked at patients during 2005 to 2007 and since then the government in England has set out its stroke strategy to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Public awareness campaigns to increase the knowledge of the symptoms are being run and plans have been unveiled to speed up access to scans and tests.Public awareness campaigns to increase the knowledge of the symptoms are being run and plans have been unveiled to speed up access to scans and tests.
Similar standards are in place elsewhere in the UK.Similar standards are in place elsewhere in the UK.
ProblemsProblems
But experts still said it was a worrying portrait of the problems which continued to dog the NHS.But experts still said it was a worrying portrait of the problems which continued to dog the NHS.
Joe Korner, of the Stroke Association, said there was a "long way to got" to make sure services were up to standard.Joe Korner, of the Stroke Association, said there was a "long way to got" to make sure services were up to standard.
"The Stroke Association wants to see substantial progress in the coming months to remove all of the delays in treating TIA."The Stroke Association wants to see substantial progress in the coming months to remove all of the delays in treating TIA.
"What is needed has already been outlined in the stroke strategy."What is needed has already been outlined in the stroke strategy.
"We urge all parts of the health service to make the changes needed to prevent thousands of people from having a stroke in the coming year.""We urge all parts of the health service to make the changes needed to prevent thousands of people from having a stroke in the coming year."
But Ann Keen, a health minister in England, said services were now improving.But Ann Keen, a health minister in England, said services were now improving.
"As well as making clear that stroke is an emergency that must be treated quickly, the stroke strategy sets high standards for all aspects of treatment, care and support for stroke survivors and their carers.""As well as making clear that stroke is an emergency that must be treated quickly, the stroke strategy sets high standards for all aspects of treatment, care and support for stroke survivors and their carers."