Services by Stroke Services NSW

• Review, develop, pilot and evaluate organised stroke services across rural NSW.
• Empower rural stroke clinicians through education, establishment of networks, facilitation of information and promotion of stroke research and evidence.

• Evaluation of the current status (as at September 2006) of stroke services across rural NSW.
• Ten rural stroke education forums were held across rural NSW in 2006 in conjunction with the NSW Stroke Services Network. More than 700 clinicians and 150 GP's received free education in their local area from metropolitan and local experts in stroke management.
• A network of more than 220 rural stroke clinicians currently exists.
• Seven rural hospitals have participated in the National Stroke Research Institute (NSRI)/GMCT stroke audit.
• $1 million recurrent funding for rural stroke services in NSW was announced in September 2006. This funding is currently being allocated via a submission process.
• Provision of rural scholarship to the Australasian Stroke Society Meeting in 2006 and a rural presenters prize at the Smart Strokes 2007.

The primary focus for 2007-2008 will be to support the implementation of rural stroke service pilot models. This will incorporate:

• Baseline audit of rural stroke services, particularly the pilot sites.
• Trial models of stroke services and comprehensive evaluation
• Documentation of the process, components and evaluation of pilot stroke services to allow replication throughout other rural areas
• Development of a sustainable approach to rural stroke services for 2008 and beyond, incorporating education and networking components of the project
• Ongoing establishment and maintenance of partnerships with key stakeholders

Rural stroke education forums will be held in each of the rural Area Health Services across NSW. All health professionals are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Consumer Network Forums and GP Dinners will be run in conjunction with the stroke education days with the NSW Stroke Recovery Association and the NSW Stroke Services Network.

For further information please refer to the NSW Institute of Rural Clinical Services and Teaching website and follow the link to the Rural Stroke Project.