Rural Stroke Project - NSW Institute of Rural Clinical Services and Teaching

NSW RURAL STROKE NETWORK

The NSW Rural Stroke Project commenced in March 2006 with the appointment of a Project Officer for 2 years. The Project was funded through the NSW Institute of Rural Clinical Services and Teaching (IRCST) and was undertaken in partnership with the Australasian Stroke Unit Network and Hunter New England Health.

As of March 2008 (with the completion of the rural stroke project), seven rural Stroke Coordinator positions were established, which now form the executive of the NSW Rural Stroke Network. The IRCST is pivotal in supporting the continuation and further development of the network.

THE RURAL STROKE PROJECT

The aims of the rural stroke project were to:

To review, develop, pilot and evaluate organised stroke services across rural NSW
To empower rural stroke clinicians through education, establishment of networks, facilitation of information and promotion of stroke research and evidence.

Achievements of the rural stroke project:

A comphrensive evaluation of NSW rural stroke services (as at September 2006) has been completed. See reports section
Eleven rural hospitals have participated in the National Stroke Research Institute (NSRI)/GMCT stroke audit allowing for benchmarking in relation to aacute stroke management
Ten rural clinicians were sponsored to attend the Stroke Services NSW Research day held on 21st June 2007 in Sydney
The rural stroke project is a form of health systems research
In 2006 the NSW Government announced recurrent funding for models of stroke services to be trialed in rural NSW. The successful sites were allocated the funding in March 2007
All models were based on the 'hub and spoke' concept and have a Stroke Care Coordinator (SCC) as a key component
ASUN, through Dr Michael Pollack and Associate Professor Chris Levi as lead advisory clinicians for the project, have undertaken numerous teleconferences and site visits to provide support to the rural services as they established themselves.
The following sites were successful in receiving funding:
- Hunter New England Area:
- - Tamworth and Armidale - Stroke Care Coordinators
- Greater Southern Area Health Service:
- - Wagga Wagga Base Hospital - Stroke Unit
- North Coast Area Health Service:
- - Hastings/Macleay Area (encompassing Port Macquarie Base Hospital) - Stroke Unit
- Greater Western Area Health Service:
- - Orange and Bathurst – Stroke Care Coordinators
  - Dubbo - Enhancement of allied health, Stroke Care Coordinator
- South Eastern Sydney/ Illawarra Area Health Service:
- - Shoalhaven - Stroke CNC.

The following has been established to promote sustainability of rural stroke services following the completion of the rural stroke project:

The establishment of the Rural Stroke Care Coordinators NetworkCommittee, which is made up of the seven SCCs from the funded sites
The SCCs on thecommittee have taken on a statewide role (portfolio) to continue the initiatives commenced through the project. The roles of the Committee are highlighted under the contacts section.
A mentoring process has been established by linking each of the rural SCCs with a metropolitan colleague
The IRCST, ASUN and Stroke Services NSW will continue to have an integral role in the project through the Committee
The Committee will ensure ongoing establishment and maintenance of partnerships with key stakeholders such as the NSRI, NSW Stroke Recovery Association and the NSW Ambulance Service.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NSW RURAL STROKE NETWORK

NETWORKING

A network of more than 300 rural stroke clinicians has been established allowing clinicians to be kept informed of the latest research, professional development activities, opportunities for scholarships as well as connecting them to other clinicians to allow for exchange of information and advice. Join the distribution list.

RESEARCH

Evaluation:

The trial models of stroke services will undergo a comprehensive evaluation conducted by the National Stroke Research Institute in partnership with ASUN, Stroke Services NSW and the NSW IRCST commencing in October 2008. This will invoilve both qualitative and quantitative evaluations
A baseline audit of rural stroke services was undertaken utilising the NSRI audit prior to the commencement of the ural stroke services. This tool has been adapted to better reflect the circumstances of rural stroke services and will be utilized to reaudit the trial sites from late 2008 and 2009
Qualitative feedback about the experience of setting up rural stroke services has been collected using a 'world cafe' approach. This involved the SCCs, a key informant from each site and key leaders in the Rural Stroke Project
Through documentation of the process, components and evaluation of the trial it is hoped this will inform the development of further stroke services throughout other rural areas.

Education/Events:

A major role of the Network is to promote and undertake stroke education relating to all aspects of the continuum of care. Click here to view upcoming education events across NSW .

860 rural nursing and allied health clinicians, 122 GP's, 15 physicians, 16 pharmacists, 14 ambulance officers and 317 consumers have received stroke specific education from January 2008 to June 2008.

Planning is now underway for a series of rural stroke forums across NSW during 2009.

Scholarships/Prizes:

A variety of scholarships are available through the following services:

IRCST - Building research capacity scholarships
Stroke Services NSW
NSW Health
Nurses registration board - http://ww.nmb.nsw.gov.au/scholarships/default.aspx
SARRAH

Newsletter:

The NSW Rural Stroke Network now produces a quarterly newsletter providing information and updates on stroke issues around the state. Click here to view the latest newsletter

Reports:

Report on Rural Stroke Project: March 2006 - September 2007
Evaluation of NSW Rural Stroke Services 2006 – Phase 1 of the NSW Rural Stroke Program FINAL Report
NSW Rural Stroke Coordinator Network Quality and Service Development Plan (c)

Resources:

The Network has created an archive of a large variety of stroke-related resources including clinical pathways/guidelines, presentations, policies, handouts, education packages etc. These resources are available for all clinicians to utilise.

Accessing the list:

Click on the link below to see the resouce list and contact Alison Chandler, Resource Officer if you would like to access any particular document (s). A copy of the most recent list can be accessed here - (d)

Contributing to the list:

The resource archive is a work in progress and we welcome all contributions. Please contact Alison Chandler: Alison.chandler@gwahs.health.nsw.gov.au if you have any resources you would like to share with stroke clinicians across the state.

Photos: