Closing the Gap: Addressing Inequalities in Stroke Care in Coastal East Suffolk and North Essex

Background

The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust (ESNEFT) and the University of Essex are collaborating on a project (CoastGEM: Coastal Gap in Equality for Stroke Care Management) to investigate stroke care in coastal areas. The aim of CoastGEM's project is to determine inequalities in effective stroke care, their negative health outcomes, and their determinants in ESNEFT and England. The project also conducts situational analysis of the stroke care system across the entire pathway, utilizing a stroke framework as a comprehensive assessment tool.

Moving forward, CoastGEM's project creates opportunities to make health equity audits across the stroke care pathway by examining the features of existing stroke services, seeking the views of patients and carers, and analyzing data on using stroke services. Finally, based on the findings, CoastGEM will formulate actionable steps for effective progress toward equitable access to sufficient stroke care for all.