The Stroke Association response to A&E reforms

Joe Korner, Director of Communications at The Stroke Association comments:

"If stroke was always treated as an emergency thousands of lives could be saved. Everyone with a suspected stroke should have an immediate brain scan (at the most within three hours of the stroke starting), and they need to be seen by a stroke specialists who can decide whether they would benefit from clot busting treatment.

"But only half of the hospitals in the UK have an acute stroke unit and most of them cannot offer round the clock brain scanning, specialist stroke diagnosis and treatment. That's why less than 0.5 a percent of stroke patients got clot busting treatment last year, although 10% could have benefited.

"There simply aren't enough stroke specialists to provide this sort of emergency and acute treatment for stroke in every hospital. So the creation of specialist centers could mean that all stroke survivors will have access to vital diagnosis and treatments.

"The Stroke Association beleives that after the initial acute phase, every stroke patient should be treated in a specialist stroke rehabilitation unit as near to their homes as possible.

"Too often ambulance crews rush someone with a stroke into hospital only to see them waiting in A&E to be seen. Creating specialist stroke centres could mean that these life threatening delays in diagnosis and treatment become a thing of the past."

Ends

For further information please contact the Media Team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 1500 or email the Press Office

Notes to editor

1. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. The charity funds research into prevention, treatment, better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services which include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. The Stroke Association also campaigns, educates and informs to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society acting as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

2. A stroke is a brain equivalent of a heart attack. A stroke can be diagnosed by using FAST - Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech problems, Test all three. If these symptoms are present call an ambulance straight away.

3. The Stroke Helpline provides information on stroke to the general public and is open between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday on 0845 3033 100.

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