Clinical teams across the province have a common goal: to provide world class, evidence-informed stroke services for every British Columbian.

Fraser Health has 37 per cent of stroke occurrences in the province and the volume is projected to increase to 40 per cent by 2040.

As the largest health authority in the province with the largest volume of stroke occurrences, Fraser Health has attained measurable improvements in stroke care, with more stroke patients receiving treatment and mortality rates decreasing.

The Provincial Stroke Strategy Priority Initiatives for 2024-25 provide a multi-year action plan and road map across the stroke continuum of care: Prevention, hyperacute, acute in-patient and post-acute stroke rehabilitation. Priority initiatives such as improving quality standards, utilizing tiers of service, enhancing stroke unit care and expanding virtual health services are monitored regularly through provincial data analytics.

“Being recognized with the People of the Heart Impact Award is an honour and reflects the collaboration that occurs daily to improve stroke care for residents of the Fraser Health region,” says Trudy Robertson, clinical nurse specialist and Neurosciences Network Lead.

“The Neuroscience Network core leadership team shares this award with the operational and clinical leadership teams at our stroke unit sites: Abbotsford Regional Hospital, Burnaby Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital,” says Trudy.

She says community partners have contributed significantly. They include: the Emergency and Rehabilitation Networks, Lower Mainland Medical Imaging, Pharmacy leadership and staff, the Center for Advanced Analytics Data Science and Innovation, community outpatient stroke and neurology clinics, stroke nurses, allied health leadership and staff and health care support services.

“Together, we are improving stroke care now and into the future,” says Trudy.