Annual Evidence Update on Stroke: 30 November - 4 December 2009

An update of the evidence on this topic from NHS Evidence - stroke.

The forthcoming Annual Evidence Update covers new high quality evidence (mainly systematic reviews) on stroke rehabilitation. Despite evidence of its effectiveness in reducing mortality and long term disability rehabilitation is often seen as a ‘Cinderella service’: underfunded, understaffed, and with a low profile compared to care at the ‘hi-tech’ end of the spectrum of care.

The National Stroke Strategy sets Quality Markers (QM) across the spectrum of stroke care. QM 10 sets out the ambition for rehabilitation: "People who had had strokes access high-quality rehabilitation and, with their carer, receive support from stroke-skilled services as soon as possible after they have a stroke, available in hospital, immediately after transfer from hospital and for as long as they need it."

Find out more at www.library.nhs.uk/stroke.