Stroke rehabilitation services in New Zealand

To obtain an overall picture of the organisation of stroke rehabilitation services throughout New Zealand and to see if this is consistent with recommendations in evidence-based guidelines.

A questionnaire was sent to all hospitals in New Zealand. This included questions about access to organised stroke rehabilitation, guidelines for the management of common problems after stroke, and the use of audit.

All 48 hospitals surveyed responded, with 37 providing inpatient stroke rehabilitation services. Only one hospital (serving 9% of the population) provided a dedicated, inpatient stroke rehabilitation facility. In the other 36 hospitals, stroke rehabilitation was performed in assessment, treatment and rehabilitation units (25 hospitals, 84%) or general medical wards (8 hospitals, 7%). Only 57% of the population had access to hospitals with a nominated lead clinician for stroke rehabilitation services. Thirty per cent were served by hospitals without a multidisciplinary therapy team expert in stroke care. Guidelines for the management of common problems following stroke were used in most hospitals. Only 8 hospitals (28%) had audited their stroke rehabilitation services.

The organisation and type of rehabilitation services available for people with stroke are not consistent with best practice or accepted guidelines. The development of an organised approach to stroke rehabilitation services in New Zealand must be seen as a priority.