Partnership work to improve stroke services in Barnsley community recognised at national awards
The development and implementation of a new integrated care pathway to detect, manage and prevent patients in Barnsley communities from having a stroke has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Every year more than 500 people have a stroke in Barnsley and the resulting brain damage is the largest cause of adult disability.
Stroke management and prevention is a major priority for the NHS. Irregular heart beat known as atrial fibrillation is a major cause of stroke and increases the risk of stroke and its severity five fold. Atrial fibrillation is preventable with optimal medication and treatment.
Dr Pravin Jha, Consultant Physician, led a successful innovation monies application to the Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authority to develop a new integrated care pathway to identify patients with atrial fibrillation.
The new integrated care pathway was created by a team of health care professionals from South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This enables patients to access health care solutions relating to stroke prevention more easily within the community setting, whilst providing a more timely diagnosis and where applicable a treatment plan.
Dr Pravin Jha stated “I feel delighted and proud to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award. I believe this will improve the patient’s quality of care and experience as well as raising the profile of the Trust on a national level.”
James Townsend, business operations manager at the Trust explained, “All the staff involved in the project should be congratulated for developing and implementing this new innovative, integrated care pathway to help reduce the risk of stroke locally. The team have worked really hard to ensure that the new care pathway identifies undiagnosed patients with atrial fibrillation. By identifying these previously undiagnosed patients we can implement a treatment plan that can prevent a stroke occurring in the future. This early diagnosis allows the patient to maximise their quality of life whilst providing an efficient and cost effective NHS service.”
“The Care Integration Awards recognise and celebrate innovative, high quality services; therefore it is a real bonus and privilege for the team to be shortlisted for this prestigious award.”
The team are now invited to present their work to a judging panel in May and attend the awards ceremony in July when the winners will be announced.
