The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has presented the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley with advice on new, national, evidence-based quality standards on the care and treatment of stroke,
dementia and venous thromboembolism (VTE) patients in the NHS in England. The new quality standards are a set of concise statements that show what high-quality care should look like for these conditions. The standards are sourced from the best available evidence such as NICE guidance, or evidence accredited by NHS Evidence. The quality standards on stroke, dementia and VTE prevention make a number of key recommendations, including:
• Patients who have suffered a stroke should be offered a minimum of 45 minutes appropriate active therapy for at least five days a week for as long as they continue to benefit from it.
• All patients who have suffered a stroke are screened within six weeks of diagnosis, to identify mood disturbance and cognitive impairment.
• People with dementia receive care from health and social care staff that have been adequately trained in dementia care.
• Carers of those with dementia receive an offer of needs assessment to ensure they have the adequate support they require.
• Patients/carers receive verbal and written information and advice on VTE prevention at the time of admission and discharge.
