Innovations in Stroke Care

Stroke is the Number One cause of long term disability in adults in British Columbia and the third leading cause of death in the province. Yet the stroke treatments still cost the provincial heath care system $350 million annually in direct costs. As our population ages, the rate of strokes will only increase.

The case for improving stroke care was originally made in Innovations in Stroke Care: A Powerful Business Case for Priority Interventions in British Columbia. In 2007, it made the argument that key recommendations in the BC Stroke Strategy could save an estimated $160 million over three years, $420 million over five years and $1.3 billion over a decade. It would also dramatically reduce the number of stroke-related deaths and improve health outcomes for survivors.

To download the business case, click here.

In December 2010, the BC Stroke Strategy tabled the Provincial Stroke Action Plan with the BC Ministry of Health Services and regional Health Authorities for decisions around governance, funding and implementation.