New NSF on Long Term Conditions Includes Stroke

The Stroke Association called on health and social care professionals to ensure they included people who have had a stroke as they start to fulfil the new National Service Framework on Long Term Conditions, which was published today.

Joe Korner, Director of Communications at the Stroke Association said:

"At the moment stroke services are covered by the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People. But almost 18% of strokes occur in people under the age of 65 (almost 25,000 people a year), so it's vital that the new NSF on Long Term Conditions is applied to the care of stroke as well as other neurological conditions.

This new directive highlights many issues that have been outlined in the NSF for Older People. It reinforces the need for prompt access to specialist care and support for patients at all stages of their condition. Patients and their carers also have the right to be fully informed of their condition, to empower them to be involved in making decisions on their most appropriate treatment and care.

Working together, these two NSFs have the potential to transform the quality of life for people living with stroke and to put them at the centre of their own treatment and care."

For further information please contact the Media team on 020 7566 1500 or email press@stroke.org.uk

Notes to editor

1. 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. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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