Improving outcomes for stroke patients, families and communities

The South Yorkshire Integrated Stroke Delivery Network (SY ISDN) was launched in November 2020.

Integrated Stroke Delivery Networks (ISDNs) are the key vehicle for transforming stroke care across the country. ISDNs work with partners from across their regions to help prevent stroke, improve diagnosis and improve access to treatment in 24/7 specialist stroke units. They also work together to increase the availability of high quality rehabilitation and ongoing community care to rebuild patients’ lives after a stroke.

There are 20 ISDNs within the UK and their combined work is expected to save half a million lives over the next decade, and give hundreds of thousands of stroke survivors the chance of a better recovery.

Our Aim

The South Yorkshire Integrated Stroke Delivery Network (SY ISDN) aims to improve the quality of stroke care within the region by improving clinical outcomes, patient experience and patient safety. The SY ISDN will achieve this by supporting partners to work together working towards service improvement which is patient centred, and evidence based.

Our Priorities

We have identified a number of priorities for improving outcomes for stroke survivors , carers and communities across our region, including developing our stroke specialist workforce, having shared clinical approaches, and making the best use of innovative practice. Our top 4 priorities include:

Mechanical Thrombectomy
Needs Based Rehabilitation
Prevention
Health Inequalities

Transforming Stroke Services

The SY ISDN is building on the work that has already been undertaken to transform stroke services and improve sustainability in South Yorkshire. Find out more about how our Hyper Acute Stroke Unit Services were transformed in 2019.

Find out more about our transformation services by watching this video:

Follow us on social media:

@SYISDN

Regional Stroke Pathway

The SY ISDN is hosted by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STH) on behalf of the 4 Acute Hospital Provider Trusts within the region. The Senior Responsible Officer for the SY ISDN is Kirsten Major, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of STH. The SY ISDN works in collaboration with a number of partners including:

Health (Primary and Secondary) and social care providers
Community Providers
Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG’s)
Third sector organisations
NHS England/Improvement and associated organisations
Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT)

The SY ISDN also works closely with other ISDNs within North East and Yorkshire and nationally. There are strong links in place with the Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Network.

Network Manager - Jaimie Shepherd

Workforce and Clinical Lead - Gemma Hayden

Project Manager - Gavin Church

Engagement Co-ordinator – Jane Douthwaite

Communications Officer- Alice Pennock

Administration Assistant - Zara Kabir

If you would like to find out more about our network, please contact the team on sth.sybisdn@nhs.net

Within the South Yorkshire Integrated Stroke Delivery Network (SY ISDN) there are a number of key groups and meetings which help shape the work we carry out. These groups cover a range of topics and priority areas, including our partners, stakeholders, the public and our patients. Our groups are run and managed by Stroke Leads from across the region. Our Senior Responsible Officer is Kirsten Major, Chief Executive Officer for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Our groups include:

SY ISDN Steering Group
SY ISDN Clinical Quality Group
SY ISDN Survivor and Carer Panel

We also host a number of regional Task and Finish Groups including:

Life After Stroke
Stroke Rehabilitation Gap Analysis
Pre Hospital
Acute Stroke Unit Care
Stroke Reviews

We also support a number of regional forums and projects:

Mechanical Thrombectomy
Thrombolysis
Allied Health Professionals Forums
Medical and Nursing Forums
ABC Bundle

The SYB ISDN produce a newsletter, which covers; who the SY ISDN are, what work the SY ISDN is focusing on, a spotlight on a partner service, details about upcoming training or networking events.

If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter, please email sth.sybisdn@nhs.net.

Involving the patient voice

The SY ISDN use the patient voice and experience in the they work completed across the region. Below are some examples how.

South Yorkshire Stroke Survivor and Carer Panel

The SYISDN presents at the UK Stroke Forum 2022

Stroke Network Patient Story

The South Yorkshire Integrated Stroke Delivery Network (SY ISDN) has been working together with colleagues from Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to help raise awareness of stroke and the brain saving treatment that is available. Data has indicated that suspected stroke patients in Barnsley present later to emergency services than others in the region and sometimes self-present to Barnsley Hospital. This means that they do not access Hyper Acute Stroke Unit care, or their access is delayed, resulting in delayed urgent treatment, such as Thrombolysis.

Mandy, who is a stroke survivor from Barnsley, was keen to raise awareness of stroke and the importance of seeking urgent help by dialling 999. She also wanted to raise awareness about urgent treatment and where this can be delivered. The Barnsley team were also keen to ensure that patients arrive at the right place and the right time to receive Hyper Acute Stroke Unit care.

The SY ISDN and Barnsley team are hoping that the video will encourage more people to get the help they need if they experience signs of stroke.

Stroke Network Patient Story: Mandy

Common problems people experience after a Stroke

All strokes are different. For some people the effects may be relatively minor and may not last long, while others may be left with more serious long-term problems. These can include:

Physical effects of stroke

Communication problems

Tiredness and fatigue

Emotions and wellbeing

These problems can have an effect on everyday living: