The Royal College of Physicians has produced a national strategy for stroke in an attempt to improve stroke services in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which have been criticised as disorganised, haphazard, and poor.

The national clinical guidelines for stroke are the first comprehensive guidelines to cover all aspects of stroke care from diagnosis to rehabilitation. They also include the views of patients and carers on what they want from stroke services.

Stroke is the third highest cause of death in the United Kingdom and the biggest single cause of major disability. Over 4% of NHS spending goes on stroke services.

A key issue underpinning the guidelines is that effective stroke management, whether in hospital or in the community, is best undertaken by a specialised team. …