National Conference on Stroke to take place at Cashel Palace Hotel
As a stroke survivor and organiser of an upcoming National Conference on Stroke, it is important to recognise some key indicators and findings from the recent Irish National Audit of Stroke Report 2023.
The 8% increase in the stroke rate in 2023 shows that the predicted rapid increase in stroke due to our ageing population and other demographic factors is underway, and that unless services are futureproofed, Emergency Departments as well as stroke units will be inundated.
The fact remains that many patients are not arriving at the hospital quickly enough. Continuous public awareness efforts, particularly those related to the Act F.A.S.T. campaign, are essential in order to achieve better outcomes for patients.
We have a National Stroke Strategy, but funding issues have slowed down its implementation. We’re now almost halfway through the five-year plan and there has been no improvement in the rate of admission to nursing homes. This remains at 70% against a KPI of 90%. This means 2,000 stroke patients a year are not getting stroke unit care. Evidence shows that access to stroke unit care reduces death and permanent severe disability by 20%. Most of all, however, the 8% increase in stroke admissions to hospital in a single year must sound the alarm to the health authorities that there can be no further delays in providing the resources required to fully implement the National Stroke Strategy.
This year, the audit has provided valuable insights into the care of patients who experience a stroke while already hospitalised for another condition. The findings indicate that this group tend to have poorer outcomes, with delays in identification of stroke and access to relevant appropriate care. It is crucial that hospitals ensure that these patients receive timely attention and are not overlooked. All stroke services should review their stroke care policy to ensure that it includes patients with In-Hospital Stroke.
The number of stroke unit beds should be increased so that at least 90% of patients with a stroke are cared for in a stroke unit. The failure over years to increase access to stroke unit care is a product of a lack of investment, leading to a sizeable shortfall in stroke unit beds. This must be decisively addressed to save lives and reduce disability, but also for the efficiencies and cost savings that will accrue from reduction in length of hospital stay and numbers needing institutional care.
Opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) should be carried out for all people aged 65 years and over. Atrial fibrillation, also known as A Fib or AF is the most common arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart beat which is continuously irregular with no pattern to it at all. It can affect adults of any age but is more common as you get older. 1 in 4 people over the age of 50 are at risk of developing atrial fibrillation. AF is one of the leading underlying causes of stroke.
Many of the above issues will be addressed at the National Conference on Stroke, which will take place at the Cashel Palace Hotel, on Monday, 28th April.
The Conference will be opened at 9.30 am by the Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Mr. Kieran O’Donnell, T.D.
Contributors will include Professor Margaret O’Connor, Consultant in Geriatric and General Internal Medicine in the UL Hospitals Group, Nora Cunningham, RANP Acute Medicine & Stroke Specialist, Sinéad Coleman, Programme Manager, National Clinical Programme for Stroke and Dr. Arslan Sohail, Consultant physician and Geriatrician, Naas General Hospital.
The Conference will run to 1.30 pm. Registration on Eventbrite.