An audit of follow-up services for stroke patients after discharge from hospital.

A register was kept of all patients admitted to hospital in Nottingham with acute stroke, and survivors were followed up at 1 and 6 months. A quarter of the 183 survivors seen at home 6 months after their strokes were still unable to perform some everyday activities. Only 18% of discharged patients ever received outpatient occupational therapy but 42% received physiotherapy. Those attending outpatient rehabilitation were more likely to improve in functional ability between 1 and 6 months. A third of patients interviewed had not seen their GP since discharge and many with severe disabilities did not receive potentially useful therapy or aids.