Question reference: S5W-35034
- Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 8 February 2021
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 25 February 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) 2016 guidelines have been embedded into the treatment of stroke care; whether there are any areas of the guidelines where the evidence is not (a) robust in the Scottish environment and (b) relevant to patients in Scotland, and what its position is on what the impact could be on stroke patients of the RCP guidelines being used in their care provision.
Answer
The Scottish Stroke Care Standards are regularly reviewed in line with current evidence and updated guidelines. We monitor the implementation of these standards through the Scottish Stroke Care Audit to ensure that stroke patients in Scotland are receiving high quality care. Relevant guidelines relating to stroke care are also being taken into account in the development of a definition of a Progressive Scottish Stroke Unit.
As with all published guidelines, the strength of the evidence considered as part of the RCP guidelines is detailed in that document. There should be no difference in the robustness of the evidence relating to Scotland, though some discussion of commissioning of services, and of the particular structure of health systems may be based on NHS England structures and therefore may not be entirely relevant to a devolved health system.
It is important to note that clinical guidelines are recommendations to aid healthcare and other professionals in caring for people with specific conditions and are based on the best available evidence. NHS Board areas are encouraged to make best use of all relevant available guidelines.