NHS Bradford City CCG and NHS Bradford Districts CCG - Stroke Information and Support Service

The aim of the service will be to provide a seamless service which integrates with the acute stroke provider to promote the recovery, independence and well-being of people who have had a stroke and their carers, and ensure they are sufficiently informed to make choices regarding their health and social care needs.

Service users and their carers will be supported and given the tools to self-manage their condition where appropriate, and feel more in control of their life.

The National Stroke Strategy (Department of Health; Dec 2007) presented key evidence and set out what was required to develop effective stroke services in England. The Strategy identified key stages in the pathway for example:

• People who have had a stroke, their relatives and carers have access to practical advice, emotional support, advocacy and information throughout the care pathway

• A range of services are in place and easily accessible to support the individual long term needs of individuals and their carers

• People who have had strokes and their carers either living at home or in care homes are offered a review from primary care of their health and social care status and secondary prevention needs typically within six weeks of discharge home or to care home and again before six months after leaving hospital

• People who have had a stroke and their carers are enabled to a full life in the community

• People who have had a stroke and their carers are enabled to participate in paid, supported and voluntary employment

• All people with stroke and at risk of stroke receive care from staff with the skills, competence and experience appropriate to meet their needs

Each year around 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke and approximately 53,000 people die from the disease. Half of all stroke survivors are left with long-term disability and live with a range of physical, emotional, communication and cognitive issues. The impact that this has on the stroke survivor and the family unit is often devastating and affects the financial status and relationships within that unit.

Latest figures suggest that over 520 were admitted to Bradford Hospitals with stroke in 2015/2016.

Although some of these people will sadly die within a month of having a stroke, some will move to live with family and some people will decline a service from a provider, we estimate that around 75% of stroke survivors per year might benefit through receiving support in one way or another from the provider.

Patients and their carers report that following a stroke, when they are discharged home, they feel isolated, lonely and vulnerable. As a result of this, they further add that they are more likely to ring for out of hours services and seek support from primary care.

The National Stroke Strategy (2007) emphasizes the importance of post hospital care for those recovering from stroke, and highlights six month reviews should be undertaken as part of this as good practice.

Additional information: The contract duration is for 2 years with an option to extend for a further 1 year.

For further information about this service, to access the service specification for this service and to apply to provide this service, please visit www.nhssourcing.co.uk Project_20479, itt_3631.

The Deadline for submissions is 1200 mid-day Monday 12 September 2016.