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stroke The association says stroke care in England is in a “dire state”, with too few patients getting treatment on time and only a third getting recommended care.
As a result, thousands of stroke survivors are not getting the support they need to recover physically and mentally, the charity says.
It warned that patients also face a “postcode lottery” when it comes to clot-busting treatment, which could significantly reduce the chance of long-term disability.
Juliette Bouverie, Chief Executive Stroke Associationsaid: “Stroke changes a person’s life in an instant and has far-reaching effects on many people. It requires treatment including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and mental health support.
“The fact that 65 percent of stroke survivors don’t get it is really shocking and shows how dire the state of stroke treatment and ongoing care is.
“Stroke should be prioritized by governments NHS From prevention to diagnosis, treatment and long-term recovery, stroke patients will get the treatment they need when they need it, so the growing number of UK stroke survivors can remain well mentally and physically.
While stroke patients should be given a review six months after a stroke to discuss their physical and mental health and their ongoing needs, data from the 24/25 Sentinel Stroke National Audit Program showed that only 35 per cent of patients had this review – the lowest level since 2019/20.
The Stroke Association said audit data shows less than half of eligible patients are getting clot-busting thrombectomy, a procedure that must be given within 4.5 hours of a stroke, which removes the blood clot and restores normal blood flow.
The charity said that when it comes to thrombectomy, patients face a postcode lottery which “limits when and where this life-changing and life-saving treatment is available to stroke patients”.
Patsy Hyman, 58, from Hounslow, west London, went to A&E in May with problems with her vision, where she was diagnosed with a stroke.
After spending a week in hospital, she was sent home, but she continued to suffer from fatigue and poor mental health.
He did not get a review for six months.
stroke symptoms
NHS
The main symptoms of stroke may occur suddenly. They may include:
- facial weakness – one side of your face may droop (drop) and it may be difficult to smile
- Arm weakness – weakness or numbness in one arm may cause you to not be able to fully lift both arms and keep them there
- Problems speaking – you may slur your words or seem confused
The easiest way to remember these symptoms is the word FAST. This means: face, arms, speech and time to call 999.
“Even though I’m one of the lucky ones, your recovery doesn’t stop after you leave the hospital,” he said.
“That’s really when you really need someone and without consistent follow-up, people can feel lost – you may look OK on the outside, but there’s a lot going on underneath. Stroke is not a one-size-fits-all condition.
“Every stroke survivor is different, and they should be supported for as long as they need it.”
Ms Hyman was initially supported by the Stroke Association’s NHS-commissioned services, but when funding for the service stopped, she was left without any ongoing support.
She added, “I am very grateful for the help I have received from the Stroke Association, but now that the service has closed, I can’t help but feel that the help I could have received in the future has been taken away.”
One NHS England The spokesperson said: “While more people are now surviving stroke than ever before and the proportion of patients discharged to a specialist stroke rehabilitation service in the community has increased by more than two-thirds, we recognize that there is too much variation in care.
“The NHS is continuing to expand life-saving thrombectomy treatments, with rates rising again this year, and further work is underway to reduce regional variation and ensure all stroke patients can access appropriate care.”