Calls to improve stroke services

A CHARITY is calling on the Government to commit to a new stroke strategy after a new survey revealed that 46 per cent of survivors in the North-West say they feel abandoned when they leave hospital.

The figures, published today by the Stroke Association, found that over a third of stroke survivors in the region left hospital without a care plan and returned home without appropriate support in place for their recovery.

Almost half of patients said they were not contacted by a healthcare professional when they returned home while a third said they did not receive a vital six-month assessment of their health and social care needs.

Jon Barrick, chief executive at the Stroke Association, said: “These findings are deeply concerning.

“Currently, too many stroke survivors feel abandoned when they return home as they are not given the right support to begin their rehabilitation.

“Major strides have been made in the way stroke is treated in hospital; however the same is not true when stroke survivors return home.

“No one plans for a stroke, but the Government can, and should, ensure that the right care and support is there when people need it most.”

The survey of 1,100 stroke survivors in England also raised issues concerning access to the therapy and support they need to cope with the physical, mental and emotional impact of stroke with a quarter of survivors in the region with a physical disability rating the amount of therapy they received at home as poor or very poor.

The charity is launching a major new campaign, A New Era for Stroke, which calls on the Government to commit to a new stroke strategy.

The current ten-year National Stroke Strategy for England ends in 2017, and the charity is warning that stroke survivors’ recovery will be put at serious risk unless the Government commits to a new strategy.

Jon added: “Stroke survivors have told us that they have had to wait weeks – and in some cases months – for the support and therapy they need to rebuild their lives.

“For too many people, their support comes too late, it stops too soon, or they don’t have access to all types of therapy they need.”

As part of its campaign, the Stroke Association is launching a public petition which calls on the Government to commit to a new stroke strategy.

The National Stroke Strategy for England was introduced in 2007 to improve standards in treatment and support for people affected by stroke.

To sign the Stroke Association’s petition for a new stroke strategy, visit www.stroke.org.uk/newera