Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for (a) speech and language therapy, (b) physiotherapy, (c) psychological support and (d) other elements of stroke rehabilitation.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England has set clear ambitions for community health services through its Medium Term Planning Framework. By 2028/29, 80% of community health services activity should take place within 18 weeks, bringing community health services in line with targets for elective care.

The Stroke Quality Improvement in Rehabilitation (SQuIRe) programme has increased national coverage of the National Integrated Community Stroke Service model across the health, social care, and voluntary sectors. This has been achieved through SQuIRe Catalyst projects delivering needs-based stroke rehabilitation at home, including psychological and vocational rehabilitation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps Department is taking to support people (a) at risk of stroke and (b) who have recently suffered strokes.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will develop new Cardiovascular Modern Service Framework which will prioritise ambitious, evidence-led, consistent, high quality, and clinically informed approaches to prevention, treatment, and care.

The National Stroke Service Model provides best practice for stroke care, including post-discharge, which should include comprehensive rehabilitation and personalised care and support. The National Stroke Quality Improvement in Rehabilitation programme is helping to transform community-based care by increasing access to specialist stroke rehabilitation at home.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of progress towards delivering universal 24/7 access to thrombectomy services for stroke patients in England.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Progress towards 24/7 access to thrombectomy services continues to be made. To achieve full coverage, thrombectomy centres have received funding aligned with individual provider readiness and implementation plans to deliver extended hours and 24/7 provision.

The Government is committed to achieving a 25% reduction in premature mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke across England. To accelerate progress and tackle variation across the country, a new CVD Modern Service Framework will be published in 2026. This framework will support improvement, reduce inequalities, and foster innovation where it is needed most.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how his Department plans to include (a) thrombectomy and (b) stroke rehabilitation in the Modern Service Framework for cardiovascular disease.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Progress towards 24/7 access to thrombectomy services continues to be made. To achieve full coverage, thrombectomy centres have received funding aligned with individual provider readiness and implementation plans to deliver extended hours and 24/7 provision.

The Government is committed to achieving a 25% reduction in premature mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke across England. To accelerate progress and tackle variation across the country, a new CVD Modern Service Framework will be published in 2026. This framework will support improvement, reduce inequalities, and foster innovation where it is needed most.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what contingency plans are in place if the target for 24/7 thrombectomy access is not achieved on schedule.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Progress towards 24/7 access to thrombectomy services continues to be made. To achieve full coverage, thrombectomy centres have received funding aligned with individual provider readiness and implementation plans to deliver extended hours and 24/7 provision.

The Government is committed to achieving a 25% reduction in premature mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke across England. To accelerate progress and tackle variation across the country, a new CVD Modern Service Framework will be published in 2026. This framework will support improvement, reduce inequalities, and foster innovation where it is needed most.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to achieve (a) universal and (b) 24/7 access to thrombectomy services.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Progress towards 24/7 access to thrombectomy services continues to be made. To achieve full coverage, thrombectomy centres have received funding aligned with individual provider readiness and implementation plans to deliver extended hours and 24/7 provision.

The Government is committed to achieving a 25% reduction in premature mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke across England. To accelerate progress and tackle variation across the country, a new CVD Modern Service Framework will be published in 2026. This framework will support improvement, reduce inequalities, and foster innovation where it is needed most.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to address (a) regional differences in out-of-hours provision of and (b) other regional differences in access to thrombectomy services for stroke patients.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England’s National Stroke Service Model and the National Service Model for an Integrated Community Stroke Service aim to reduce inequalities by standardising care, enhancing access to acute treatments, and providing comprehensive community rehabilitation.

The National Health Service is also working to increase the delivery of 24/7 thrombectomy and increase thrombolysis and thrombectomy rates as a key intervention to support improved patient outcomes.

Found: Conservative; Bridlington and The Wolds) Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat; Glastonbury and Somerton) Terry Jermy

Found: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat, Glastonbury and Somerton) (added 28 Oct 2024) 36 of 49 (73.5%) Terry Jermy

Found: • M r Alistair Carmichael MP (Chair) • Sarah Bool MP • Charlie Dewhirst MP • Josh Newbury MP • Terry Jermy

Found: Breckland District Council Steff Aquarone MP – Member of Parliament for North Norfolk (Lib Dem) Terry Jermy