AQW 8427/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 07/03/2024
Answered On Date: 22/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update of Reshaping Stroke Care.

Answer:

While capacity and funding constraints have impacted the pace of delivery, progress has nonetheless been made against a range of the priorities set out in the published Stroke Action Plan. This includes the development of a regional model for TIA (mini-stroke); the completion of a Thrombolysis audit; the introduction of Artificial Intelligence software in five hospitals to assist in the interpretation of scans; and the development of a specification for rehabilitation and long-term support.

Work is ongoing on other key priorities. This includes Thrombectomy, where a costed model identifying requirements to support expansion has been developed. In addition, agreement on a revised process to support the identification of a preferred option for Hyperacute Stroke Care has been secured. Officials are currently undertaking preparatory work to support the agreed process. This includes stakeholder mapping, the development of a coproduction plan and the development of outline timescales for the remainder of the project. These will be reviewed by the Project Board when it next meets later this month.