Royal College of Physicians 2016 National clinical guideline for stroke

Abstract

The fifth edition of the National Clinical Guideline for Stroke was published in October 2016. It was prepared by the Royal College of Physicians Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party chaired by Professor Tony Rudd. This working party also oversees the National Audit Programme for Stroke. The 2016 edition of the guideline has been accredited by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

The guideline provides a comprehensive examination of stroke care, encompassing the whole of the stroke pathway from acute care through to longer-term rehabilitation, including secondary prevention. The edition also informs healthcare professionals about what should be delivered to stroke patients and how this should be organised, with the aim of improving the quality of care for everyone who has a stroke, regardless of age, gender, type of stroke, or location.

It also has a detailed section on commissioning of stroke care, which will be useful for clinical commission groups in the changing healthcare landscape