Warning from The Stroke Association: "Time is Running Out"

It is appalling to know that only 1 in 4 stroke patients in the UK spend the majority of their time in a stroke unit (1). This is a national concern and The Stroke Association are warning that "Time Is Running Out".

The National Service Framework for older people promised that by 2004 all hospitals in England would have a specialised stroke service. With only 12 months left to meet the target, it's time for NHS to embrace the challenge.

"When the NSF was published two years ago, we welcomed it with enthusiasm. It promised improved treatment and care of those who had suffered a stroke. But with one year left to go, the rate of progress is just not good enough and most stroke patients are not currently treated in a stroke unit" Says Eoin Redahan of The Stroke Association.

The Stroke Association will be sending out a birthday card to all NHS organisations, in order to mark the 2nd anniversary of the National Service Framework. It warns that "Time Is Running Out".

"In our country, those who have had a stroke should expect to be treated in a specialist stroke service. While improvements have been made, the fact is that there is still less than 75% of hospitals that have a stroke unit.(2) There is a long way to go before our stroke standard of care is at an acceptable level".



"Stroke is one of the biggest killers and causes of disability in our country, and due to the lack of specialised care available at the moment, people are dying unnecessarily".

END

For more information, please call the Press Office on 020 7566 0317/0328. Please note that we have ISDN.

Notes to editor

1. Information about the "Time is running out" campaign is available on The Stroke Association website at www.stroke.org.uk, included is a countdown to the time left for NHS to deliver their promises

2. 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 stroke 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.

3. Stroke is one of the biggest killers and the largest cause of disability in the UK. Around 130,000 people in the UK suffer a first stroke each year - about 13,000 are under the age of 55 and 1,000 are under the age of 30. One person every five minutes will suffer a first stroke.

4. The Stroke Association is the largest national charity solely concerned with combating stroke. 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 visiting services, dysphasia support, family support, information centres, welfare grants, publications and leaflets.

References
(1) Summary report on the National Sentinel Stroke Audit 20011/02, pg 1, July 2002
(2) Summary report on the National Sentinel Stroke Audit 20011/02, pg 1, July 2002

back to top|