Setting district stroke standards and objectives. A Report of the West Lambeth Health Authority Stroke Steering Group.

Although stroke is a common disease consuming considerable NHS resources little is known about how effectively these resources are distributed. A local district stroke register has revealed the burden and pattern of care for stroke patients locally which has prompted the setting up of a stroke steering group whose aim is to promote the effective local use and provision of services for stroke patients. The multidisciplinary group has adopted the Royal College of Physicians' recommendations on stroke care for local use and incorporated them into a document which has been distributed to all health care professionals managing stroke patients. The group has also devised a standardised clerking proforma to collect data with which to audit stroke care. Based on these recommendations, standards have been set in the main domains of care for stroke patients with the aim of improving stroke services locally. Having identified local problems in the provision of care, set standards and devised a mechanism for the audit of stroke care, the district is now hopefully in a position to effect change and close the audit loop.