ESO and SAFE welcome the publication of the EU Healthier Together plan
The European Commission recently launched the EU Non-Communicable Diseases Initiative – Healthier Together to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCD), including stroke, and improve health and wellbeing.
From December 2021 to May 2022, the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE) and the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) worked closely together with DG Sante, the EU Commission department responsible for their policies on health and food safety, in the co-creation process for the EU NCD initiative.
This has resulted in the publication of a toolkit to guide Member states and EU policymakers towards a holistic and coordinated approach for health promotion and disease prevention, treatment and care, for diseases including stroke.
The plan covers the period from 2022-2027 and prioritises four disease groups including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, mental health and neurological disorders and health determinants for all major NCDs. Recognising its significant health burden and opportunities for improvement, we are delighted to see that stroke is specifically drawn out as a priority area under mental health and neurological disorders.
The initiative underlines the vital importance of implementing a national stroke plan, increasing public awareness, and improving screening, encompassing the entire chain of care from primary prevention to life after stroke.
This builds on the Stroke Action Plan for Europe (SAP-E), prepared by ESO and SAFE for the years 2018 to 2030.
We look forward to working with DG Sante and the European Commission in implementing the initiative to improve stroke prevention, care and life after stroke for all affected by stroke in Europe.
Harriet Priois, SAFE President added:
“We welcome this response by the European Commission to the ongoing efforts of the health community to prioritise non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on the EU agenda. We worked together with the European Stroke Organisation on a joint response to the consultation which was based on the Stroke Action Plan for Europe and the Essentials of Stroke care guideline.
We are delighted that stroke is drawn out as a priority area and that the Stroke Action Plan must be implemented across Europe. This initiative gives us a strong opportunity to raise the profile of stroke within our countries and we hope it will contribute to reducing the stroke burden, and improve the quality of life of those living with stroke in Europe.”
Download the full report
SAP-E prompts ministry to act in Denmark
Following a communication from the Danish Stroke Association, the SAP-E Steering Committee was pleased learn that the Danish Minister of Health announced that a stroke action plan will be part of the government’s political agenda for the coming years.
To quote the Minister the overarching goal will be Furthermore, The minister underlined the government’s wish to strengthen stroke prevention, emergency-treatment and using data to optimize quality and research, and to to “minimize the number of strokes by 10% by 2030”, one of the 4 overarching targets for the SAP-E initiative
According to the Danish Stroke Association, a significant factor for the success of the Danish delegation was the preparatory work that was been carried out in the scope of SAP-E efforts.
Read the full letter from Director of the Danish Stroke Association, Birgitte Forchhammer
ESO and SAFE statements in support of Ukraine
SAP-E partners ESO (European Stroke Organisation) and SAFE (Stroke Alliance for Europe) both announced their support for the nation of Ukraine and its people, as well as for a peaceful resolution to the current conflict.
Both organisations outlined the negative impact on stroke services, care, and support, and called on the support of neighbouring allies to provide continuity in stroke care however possible.
Read the statement from the ESO Executive Committee
Read the statement from SAFE President Hariklia Proios
SAP-E Stroke Service Tracker
The Stroke Service Tracker (SST) is a comprehensive survey developed by SAP-E to monitor the progress of quality of care and outcomes, and allow for comparisons among participating countries.
The results will be comprised of anonymous data provided by SAP-E National Coordinators and their teams, and reflect the SAP-E key performance indicators, as well as basic clinical variables.
The data collected from National Coordinators is planned to be presented in 2022.
Watch the recording of the “SAP-E Implementation Workshop III: SST”
Watch now: Prof. Hanne Christensen discusses her vision for the Stroke Service Tracker, its use in institutes across Europe, and the difference it will make to stroke patients and survivors.
SAP-E Essentials of Stroke Care
The Essentials of Stroke Care manifesto was made as a tool for The Stroke Action Plan for Europe (SAP-E) [1] and has been endorsed by the European Stroke Organisation. The document is aimed at people working with stroke; another document aimed at people working with planning of stroke care or advocacy for stroke care will be published on the SAP-E website in due time.
[1] Norrving B, Barrick J, Davalos A, et al. Action Plan for Stroke in Europe 2018-2030. Eur Stroke J 2018;3:309-336
Watch now: Prof. Thorsten Steiner discusses the importance of this document for patients and their caregivers towards the implementation of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe.
Download the SAP-E Essentials of Stroke Care