London Stroke Clinical Network key publications

Atrial Fibrillation

Position statement: Prevention of AF-related stroke: This position statement supports the implementation of NICE guidance for the prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF) related stroke: Detect, protect, perfect!

Atrial fibrillation toolkit for London: This toolkit aims to improve the detection and treatment for the estimated 68,000 people in the capital at risk of an AF-related stroke. The Atrial Fibrillation Toolkit has been designed by a team of experts, including the three London AHSNs — Health Innovation Network, Imperial College Health Partners, and UCLPartners – in conjunction with the London Stroke Clinical Networks, to help address one of the biggest burdens on the NHS and the health of the population. It brings together the latest clinical guidance, performance data, case studies and support for clinicians and commissioners.

Excellence in Anticoagulant Care: This document defines and describes the components of an excellent anticoagulation service. A consensus view on what constitutes an excellent anticoagulation service for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) will support providers and commissioners in ensuring the provision of best quality practice for their local populations.

Commissioning and Guidance

Six Month Stroke Reviews Commissioning Guide: Designed to support commissioners in six month reviews, applicable to all stroke survivors, details the provision of these reviews in London and recommends how assessment services should be structured and delivered.

Weekend stroke therapy commissioning guidance: This document presents options for delivering therapy services on weekends across all stroke services in London. Relevant case studies of services currently delivering weekend therapy and views from patients and services users about weekend therapy are also included.

Acute commissioning and tariff guidance: The London Stroke Acute Commissioning and Tariff Guidance was revised to accurately reflect the current landscape (since the 2010 reorganisation of stroke services) to ensure commissioners maintain the currently high standards of care in London.

Nursing Competency Resource Pack

London Stroke Nurse Competency Workbook: This workbook provides hospitals with an effective tool for training nurses to a highly consistent and competent level in stroke care. Recently updated to incorporate changes in practice, this document joins HASU and SU competencies into one single workbook in all acute settings in the capital and has received accreditation from the Stroke-Specific Education Framework.

Nursing Competency Workbook Learning Resources: These presentations from the Pan-London study day form a resource pack that aid learning and enable nurses complete their competency training.

Rehabilitation

Early supported discharge: Service specification: This service specification for early supported discharge (ESD) provides scope, delivery, criteria and planning details to ensure that all stroke survivors (meeting the specified criteria) have access to a high quality, stroke specific, multidisciplinary ESD service.

London Rehab Support Worker Resource Pack June: This resource pack is intended for London community stroke and neurorehabilitation services and commissioning bodies, as a resource for supporting with recruitment and management of rehabilitation support workers (RSW) within the workforce. It contains information and resources on the expectations and scope of RSW roles, signposting to other relevant information, policies and guidelines, and tools to assist with RSW management and recruitment.

Thrombectomy

Standard Operating Procedure was piloted in 2022 for maintaining uninterrupted access to 24/7 Thrombectomy across London by services working in partnership.