The East Midlands Academic Health Science Network is urging Clinical Commissioning Groups to sign up to a pledge ensuring that stroke is kept on the local and national health agenda.

The EMAHSN Stroke Rehabilitation programme team is meeting East Midlands commissioners at an event [17 June 2015] in Nottingham.

The event; 'Reducing the burden of stroke in the Community – Commissioning for improvement' is being held at the East Midlands Conference Centre and will ensure that provision of care for stroke survivors in the community is reviewed by East Midlands commissioners.

The team at the EMAHSN will be presenting information collected in collaboration with the East Midlands Strategic Clinical Networks that highlights significant variation in care pathways available to stroke survivors across the East Midlands (a report summarising this work will be disseminated at the event). The aim is to ignite discussion and debate amongst commissioners about successes and challenges associated with commissioning stroke services given current commissioning policy and priorities.

EMAHSN Managing Director Professor Rachel Munton, who will welcome delegates stated: "This project has developed essential learning and best practice that will deliver clear improvements for the care of stroke survivors. We have been mapping the provision of community stroke care and want to work with commissioners to address gaps in service provision, ultimately improving services for all patients in the East Midlands".

Rebecca Larder, Director of Transformation for South Nottinghamshire will also attend the event to talk about integration and transformation, addressing Clinical Commissioning Groups and local authority plans to work together to shape sustainable health and social care which aims to improve outcomes for service users and patients.

Dr Rebecca Fisher, from The University of Nottingham and Stroke Rehabilitation lead for the EMAHSN, with Professor Marion Walker, said: "The message is simple, Community Stroke Care is improving, but stroke is still the leading cause of adult disability in the UK, and the greatest impact occurs when survivors leave hospital. We want to ensure that all patients have access to best practice, proven community care".

During the event two Clinical Commissioning Groups (Nottingham City and West Leicestershire) will share their experiences of community stroke care, highlighting individual priorities and future plans.

- ends -

Note to editors:

- The East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN) is one of 15 Academic Health Science Networks in England. EMAHSN brings together the NHS, universities, industry and social care to transform the health of the region's 4.5M residents and stimulate wealth. Current priorities focus on identifying and spreading innovations that address challenges including cancer, obesity, diabetes, mental health, respiratory disease, stroke, liver disease and support for frail older people.

Media enquiries: Chris Taylor 0115 748 4242 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Lucy Hose 0115 748 4243 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.