General Election candidates called to account on stroke
04/04/2005
Urgent health issues facing hundreds of thousands of people across the country should be the focus of pre-election debates rather than the usual empty promises and hot air, says The Stroke Association as it launches its own Manifesto for the next parliament.
"At least 650,000 people will have a stroke during the term of the next Government, and the cost will be more than £12.5 billion. Stroke is the third biggest killer in the country and the biggest single cause of severe disability. But it needn't be this way.” Comments Jon Barrick, Chief Executive of The Stroke Association. "Forty per cent of strokes could be prevented, and with better healthcare mortality rates could be dramatically reduced. That's why it's essential that all the candidates in the General Election are called to account on what they will do to improve stroke prevention and services.”
The Stroke Association is calling on all political parties and candidates to address the massive inadequacies in public awareness of stroke, the huge lack of investment in research and deficient levels of stroke care and services. These failings are causing thousands of people to suffer or die unnecessarily.
We are saying to candidates in England and Wales that in their constituency an estimated 228 people will have a stroke this year and 500 people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke. Not to mention the thousands of family members, carers, health and social care professionals supporting those affected by stroke.
The Stroke Association's manifesto calls for immediate action on the most urgent issues.
We call on the Government to:
Stroke Prevention
· Restrict 'junk food' advertising, especially those aimed at children
· Impose mandatory warnings on food packaging when food contains more than a third (2g) of the recommended amount of daily salt intake
· Ensure that all communities, such as ethnic minorities or lower socio-economic groups, are reached through ongoing stroke and mini-stroke (TIA) public awareness campaigns.
Stroke as a medical emergency
· Launch a sustained public awareness campaign to ensure that everyone knows the symptoms of stroke and to call 999 if they suspect a stroke
· Ensure that 24 hours is the maximum wait for a brain scan and that three hours is set as a target from the onset of symptoms to reduce mortality and improve outcomes
· Set a target for suspected mini-stroke (TIA) to be investigated within seven days
Stroke in hospital
· Set a target for the direct admission of stroke patients to a specialised stroke service or unit. Currently only 46% of patients are treated on a stroke unit despite evidence that general wards have a 14% to 25% higher mortality rate than specialist units
· Make sure the National Service Framework for Older People applies to the particular service needs of the 10,000 people under 55 who have a stroke each year.
Stroke from hospital to community
· Ensure that people who have a stroke or mini-stroke (TIA) are given the right treatment to reduce the risk of another attack
· Increase access to speech and language therapists, clinical psychologists and support services, all of which help to restore the lives of stroke survivors
· Address the social, emotional and practical needs of carers in supporting stroke survivors
"The Stroke Association listened to the needs and concerns of everyone affected by stroke in order to produce this vital manifesto. It clearly sets out the key messages we all believe political parties should endorse and work to achieve, whether in Government or opposition” comments Jon Barrick, Chief Executive of The Stroke Association. "There is urgent work to be done. The Stroke Association urges that over the next parliamentary term these issues are addressed and thoroughly debated to reach our vision of a world where there are fewer strokes and all those touched by stroke get the help they need."
For further information please contact The Media Team at The Stroke Association on 0207 566 1500 or email press@stroke.org.uk
Notes to editor
1. We run a national Stroke Information telephone helpline 0845 30 33 100.
2. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.
3. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.
4. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.
The Stroke Association
