The TakeAway: Talking about Stroke Unit Certification with Skye Coote
In my role with Stroke Foundation, I’m focused on making sure people receive the best possible care when they get to hospital.
Through the Stroke Centre Certification program, we’re working to ensure hospitals meet high standards of care. When a hospital is certified, it means patients and families can trust the level of care they’ll receive.
To start, can you explain what the stroke unit certification program is and why it matters for people experiencing stroke? (0:12)
Stroke Foundation’s Stroke Unit Certification Program helps ensure hospitals with stroke units are delivering the highest standard of care when it matters most. A team of leading clinicians and state and territory experts assess hospitals against best-practice standards, from rapid emergency treatment like scans, clot-busting medication and specialist interventions, through to ongoing care in dedicated stroke units staffed by experts. The goal is simple: to make sure stroke patients receive fast, safe, evidence-based care at every stage of their hospital journey, improving recovery and outcomes.
“It’s one thing for a hospital to say they meet stroke care standards - it’s another to have independent experts come in and make sure patients are actually receiving that high-quality care when every minute counts.”
Can you walk us through at a high level how the certification program works for hospitals? (2:37)
The Stroke Unit Certification process is a rigorous review designed to help hospitals deliver the highest standard of stroke care. Hospitals submit a detailed application, which is assessed by expert clinicians from across Australia including doctors, nurses, physios, occupational therapists and speech pathologists. This is followed by a virtual site review where assessors work directly with the hospital team to validate their service against certification standards. Importantly, the process is not just about passing or failing, it’s also about continuous improvement, with every hospital receiving practical feedback to strengthen stroke care even further.
“Even the highest-performing hospitals take something valuable away from the certification process. It’s not just about meeting the standard - it’s about continuously learning, improving, and delivering even better care for stroke patients.”
What are some of the key achievements or milestones the program has reached so far? (5:06)
In just over two years, more than a quarter of hospitals across Australia with stroke units or stroke centres have achieved certification, a strong sign that hospitals recognise the value of independent assessment and high-quality stroke care. Beyond certification itself, the program is helping drive real change, with hospitals improving workflows, strengthening processes, and using the standards to advocate for additional staffing and resources to better support patients.
“Certification isn’t just a badge - it’s a catalyst for change. We’re seeing hospitals use the process to improve systems, strengthen care, and advocate for the resources they need to deliver gold standard stroke treatment.”
From your perspective, how is this program helping to create more consistent, high quality stroke care across Australia. (6:11)
The Stroke Unit Certification Program gives hospitals independent validation that they are delivering high-quality stroke care, rather than relying on self-assessment alone. By measuring services against national standards and clinical guidelines, the program helps hospitals identify gaps, improve care, and advocate for the staffing and resources they need. The result is stronger stroke care systems and better outcomes for patients across Australia.
“There’s a big difference between thinking you’re doing a good job and knowing you’re doing a good job. Independent certification gives hospitals that confidence - while also driving real improvements in stroke care across Australia.”
Skye looking ahead, what are the future goals or ambitions for the stroke unit certification program. (7:36)
The long-term goal of the Stroke Unit Certification Program is clear: by 2030, every stroke centre in Australia should be certified. This would help ensure that no matter where someone has a stroke, they can have confidence they will receive the highest standard of evidence-based stroke care, wherever they are in the country.
“By 2030, we want every stroke centre in Australia certified - because every stroke patient, no matter where they live, deserves the best possible care when every minute counts.”