Response to PAC stroke report

Joe Korner Director of Communications and Public Affairs comments:

"The Public Accounts Committee today sets out the sorry state of stroke services currently available in England. For far too long stroke has been a low priority for the NHS resulting in needless deaths and disability for many thousands of people.

"There is a new urgency within the Department of Health on tackling the shortfalls in stroke services and this is vital and very welcome. But the new stroke strategy won't report until well into next year and The Stroke Association urges action to be taken now. We know that treating stroke as a medical emergency makes a dramatic difference. People with a suspected stroke must have a brain scan and diagnosis within three hours. And access to properly staffed stroke units can halve mortality rates.

"Yet all of this relies on the public knowing what a stroke is and how to diagnose it. At the moment just over half of the population know what a stroke is and too few know what the symptoms are. If the Department of Health wants to tackle stroke then it must urgently invest in a public awareness campaign."

ENDS
For further information please contact the Media Team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 1500 or press@stroke.org.uk

Public Accounts Committee report

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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