To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent progress has been made in (a) Peterborough and (b) the East of England in establishing in each health authority or trust a stroke care pathway; and if he will make a statement. (248529)

The National Stroke Strategy mandates the establishment of stroke care networks. All proposed networks originally proposed have now been established and are expected to be fully functional by spring 2009. Details of the networks can be found on the Stroke Improvement programme website at:

www.improvement.nhs.uk/stroke

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is available in (a) Peterborough and (b) the East of England for patients who have undergone a stroke to receive support with communication skills; and if he will make a statement. (248530)

This information is not held centrally. However, the new national stroke strategy recognises that people who have had a stroke, including those with aphasia and other communication difficulties, will have specific support needs. The services which primary care trusts (PCTs) and local authorities provide for those people will depend on local needs and priorities. The strategy also makes clear that those with aphasia and related conditions should be involved in the planning of the support services they require.

In addition to the funding that has gone to PCTs, central funding over three years will support implementation of the new national strategy, including £45 million to local authorities to help them develop or accelerate their existing provision of long-term support to those who live with the effects of a stroke. We expect that PCTs and local authorities will use the funding available to meet these needs in line with local needs and priorities.