Why admit stroke patients to hospital?

Stroke patients consume nearly one-twentieth of all National Health Service resources, and much of this is attributable to the admission of patients with acute strokes to hospital. However, patients rarely need to be admitted for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons, and rehabilitation given in hospital is sometimes inappropriate. The major reason for admission relates to nursing during the acute illness, yet this could be done at home in more cases than at present. It is suggested that rehabilitation services should be more readily available to patients at home, so that fewer need to be admitted and so that those admitted can return home sooner. This might lead to a more appropriate rehabilitation, less anxiety and depression in the patient and his family, and a more efficient use of limited resources.