Regional and local media were also kept informed, and around 80 people who had registered an interest in STP updates were sent the stroke engagement survey link to complete. We received 940 completed surveys either via face to face engagement activities (830, 88%) or social media advertising (110, 12%). Of these, 49.2% had previously had a stroke. In addition to the survey we also received feedback via: 54 outreach sessions meeting with voluntary and community groups, attending GP practices, rehab units, stroke wards, and libraries talking to approximately 1,544 people 5 voluntary and community sector clinician led events attended by 78 people 15 semi-structured interviews with people who had experience of stroke services in Bradford. It should be noted that as engagement had already taken place in Airedale, Wharfedale, Craven and Bradford in 2015, Healthwatch Bradford and District adopted a different approach The key themes from the existing data and the engagement were as follows: Changes to stroke services There was some concern that a decision had already been made to reduce the number of hyper acute stroke units (HASUs), with some questioning the value of the engagement. People were concerned that if the number of units were reduced this could lead to the remaining units being unable to cope with demand and impact negatively on health outcomes. It was suggested by many that funding should be increased to ensure all patients are able to access the best treatment immediately. There was a range of opinions as to whether this should be available in all local hospitals or whether it should be based in a few specialist centres. Many people said that they would travel further if it meant they were able to access the best treatment and to be treated by specialists; however, they wanted their rehabilitation to be available closer to home. The main reasons for people wanting the services to be available in all hospitals were the distance, time and cost to travel, along with the challenges of parking. People were worried not only about how the extra journey time could affect the treatment and outcome for stroke patients but also how this would impact on the ability of carers and families to visit their loved one at this critical time, particularly those reliant on public transport. Of those people that had experienced the newly reconfigured service in Airedale, Wharfedale, Craven and Bradford and had travelled further to access a HASU, and were
Regional and local media were also kept informed, and around 80 people who had registered an interest in STP updates were sent the stroke engagement survey link to complete. We received 940 completed surveys either via face to face engagement activities (830, 88%) or social media advertising (110, 12%). Of these, 49.2% had previously had a stroke. In addition to the survey we also received feedback via: 54 outreach sessions meeting with voluntary and community groups, attending GP practices, rehab units, stroke wards, and libraries talking to approximately 1,544 people 5 voluntary and community sector clinician led events attended by 78 people 15 semi-structured interviews with people who had experience of stroke services in Bradford. It should be noted that as engagement had already taken place in Airedale, Wharfedale, Craven and Bradford in 2015, Healthwatch Bradford and District adopted a different approach The key themes from the existing data and the engagement were as follows: Changes to stroke services There was some concern that a decision had already been made to reduce the number of hyper acute stroke units (HASUs), with some questioning the value of the engagement. People were concerned that if the number of units were reduced this could lead to the remaining units being unable to cope with demand and impact negatively on health outcomes. It was suggested by many that funding should be increased to ensure all patients are able to access the best treatment immediately. There was a range of opinions as to whether this should be available in all local hospitals or whether it should be based in a few specialist centres. Many people said that they would travel further if it meant they were able to access the best treatment and to be treated by specialists; however, they wanted their rehabilitation to be available closer to home. The main reasons for people wanting the services to be available in all hospitals were the distance, time and cost to travel, along with the challenges of parking. People were worried not only about how the extra journey time could affect the treatment and outcome for stroke patients but also how this would impact on the ability of carers and families to visit their loved one at this critical time, particularly those reliant on public transport. Of those people that had experienced the newly reconfigured service in Airedale, Wharfedale, Craven and Bradford and had travelled further to access a HASU, and were
Stroke-services-engagement-report-Final.docx