Each year, about 150 000 people in the UK have a first or recurrent stroke.1 Despite UK health policies that place a great emphasis on reducing stroke (such as the National Stroke Strategy2) and improvements in mortality and morbidity, guidance is needed on access to and provision of effective rehabilitation services to maximise quality of life after stroke. This article summarises the most recent recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on long term rehabilitation after stroke.3
NICE recommendations are based on systematic reviews of the best available evidence and explicit consideration of cost effectiveness. When minimal evidence is available, recommendations can be based on the Guideline Development Group’s experience and opinion of what constitutes good practice. Evidence levels for the recommendations are given in italic in square brackets.
### Organising rehabilitation and care for people with stroke
Rehabilitation may take place in a variety of settings—in hospital, in outpatient clinics, in the community, and in individuals’ own homes.
### Planning and delivering stroke rehabilitation
To ensure the safety of the person with stroke while maintaining a patient centred approach, key processes need to be in place. These processes include assessment on admission …