SAFE and ESO present the roadmap of implementation for the Stroke Action Plan for Europe

Nov 13, 2020

SAFE and the European Stroke Organisation held its first online working session to implement the Stroke Action Plan for Europe 2018-2030. Over 80 representatives from 52 participating countries were introduced to the roadmap of actions for the upcoming year of 2021. 

Six speakers of international renown set the framework for the meeting, reporting on tools related to the Stroke Action Plan Europe that are already successfully implemented on a national level, such as the Danish Stroke Registry and the Swiss Certification Process.  

Valeria Caso from Italy gave an overview of aspects to consider when involving governmental bodies. “A strong alliance between physicians and the national patient organisations is key when approaching politicians. It helps to underline the fact that stroke and stroke care are issues affecting the whole population and ultimately will lead to long-term improvements in the health care system”, she highlighted.  

National coordinators worked in four different groups to define future tasks and vividly discussed how to involve health authorities as well as patients on a local level. 

The next implementation milestone for this major pan-European initiative will be the finalization of the official Stroke Action Plan Europe Declaration to manifest the commitment of each country and institution involved. By signing the Declaration, the national representatives and authorities underline their determination to achieve improvement throughout the entire chain of care in stroke, including primary prevention, organised stroke services, management of acute stroke, secondary prevention, rehabilitation, evaluation of outcomes and quality improvement, as well as life after stroke. 

“As an official document, the declaration will strongly support the cause and lead the way for the national coordinators and Stroke Support Organisations to approach the national health authorities in a joint effort”, Hanne Christensen, Chair of the SAP-E Steering Committee emphasised.  

To monitor and facilitate change, twelve measurable key performance indicators were defined which reflect each domain of the chain of care. Results will be reviewed on an annual basis. 

The first implementation phase includes two further working sessions, scheduled for December and January.  

The official Stroke Action Plan for Europe publication and further detailed information can be found on the Action Plan Website. https://actionplan.eso-stroke.org/ 

The European Stroke Organisation-World Stroke Organisation conference has gone digital!

Sep 30, 2020

The European Stroke Organisation-World Stroke Organization 2020 conference has gone digital!

This is a great opportunity to hear about the new and exciting international stroke research that is happening. Here is some more information for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBTZ0G1zR3A

SAFE will also have a digital booth at the conference – please visit us!

if you are interested in attending, click here to register: https://eso-wso-conference.org/

Stroke Action Plan for Europe: Supporting stroke survivors and their carers to get #UpAgainAfterStroke

Oct 29, 2018

Today is World Stroke Day, October 29th. Though stroke may feel isolating, there are millions of survivors in the world. Stroke recovery is a community effort, and there needs to be a more clearly defined pathway from prevention to rehabilitation.

Taking that into account, SAFE is proud to announce the publishing of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe 2018-2030. This document is a result of collaborative work between SAFE and European Stroke Organisation (ESO), being an intersection and a point of confluence for large experiences coming from SAFE’s members, stroke survivors and patient advocates from one side and medical experts, specialised in stroke and stroke related research.

“With this great collaboration we are trying to make sure more attention is paid to the whole stroke care pathway. Fatigue, long-term pain, finance, work or unemployment, relationships, aphasia- these things are usually not in front of mind for many medics or politicians and healthcare decision makers. Therefore, the addition of Life After Stroke domain as one of the Stroke Action Plan’s priorities is an important step forward. SAFE is working with ESO to ensure that we jointly engage with politicians and decision makers until the whole action plan is being implemented” said Jon Barrick, SAFE President.

This year, around 610,000 people in the European Union will have a stroke, and, although the figures are patchy, at least 170,000 people in non-EU European countries will have one. That is more than one stroke a minute. Their stroke could be devastating – leading to death or life-long disability, shattering their lives and those of their loved ones. Those who survive their stroke will join the millions of stroke survivors across Europe who live with the health, social and financial impacts.

“Long term commitment and attention to the needs and rights of stroke survivors and their caregivers will contribute to better health and wellbeing, outcomes, increase independence and reduce demand on healthcare, social and welfare systems” concluded Barrick.

The popular version of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe 2018-2030 can now be downloaded from HERE.

The scientific version of this document is also available starting from today and can be downloaded from the following LINK.