When a stroke happens

Every year over 130,000 people in the UK have a stroke. That's one person every three minutes.

According to the National Audit Office report published in November 2005 on Better Stroke Care, the annual direct healthcare cost is £2.8 billion, 40 per cent higher than any other illness. 

Hospital stroke units

It is crucial that anyone who has a stroke is treated in a specialist stroke unit, as statistics show that this reduces mortality rates and the extent of disability.

The sooner the admission to one of these units the better the outcome. 

South West district hospitals

The major district hospitals in the South West have stroke units, and these are located in: Barnstaple, Bath, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cheltenham, Exeter, Gloucester, Plymouth, Salisbury, Swindon, Taunton, Torquay, Yeovil and Weston-Super-Mare. 

Stroke rehabilitation units

In addition to the stroke units, which may encompass both acute and rehabilitation facilities, stroke rehabilitation units have been set up in a number of community hospitals. These are based in Budleigh Salterton, Christcurch, Crediton, Newton Abbot, Plymouth and Williton.

As with the stroke units, these are staffed with doctors, nurses and therapists who specialise in stroke.

Details of the stroke units and stroke rehabilitation units can be obtained by telephoning our Helpline on 0845 3033 100, email info@stroke.org.uk 

Stroke Association Rehabilitation and Support Services 

An overview of the help that is available from The Stroke Association in the South West is provided at Information and Support Services 

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