Stroke Association

Every day in the UK, over 240 people wake up after a stroke – robbed of the lives they once knew. Our new TV advert captures the life-changing impact a stroke can have on anyone, at any age, including children. We're here to help you find your strength through recovery, no matter how long it takes.

We welcome the Government’s announcement of 20 new clinical research hubs to drive better patient outcomes. We look forward to hearing more about this initiative, and how it will address many of the challenges faced by people who are affected by stroke, either by preventing first-time strokes, or recurrence. Stroke incidence is set to rise by 51% by 2035, and is increasing in people under 55. It is now vital to invest in stroke research to meet the needs of stroke survivors and their families.

For every minute that a stroke is left untreated, 1.9 million brains cells die. In November, the average response time for category 2 ambulance calls, which includes stroke, rose to 42 minutes. The longest so far this year. In that time, 79,800,000 brain cells die, and the window for speedy, lifechanging treatment is rapidly closing – increasing the risk of serious long-term disability and death. The most effective stroke treatments (thrombectomy and thrombolysis) are most effective within hours of the onset of stroke. Ambulance winter pressures must not stop lifesaving treatment. To prevent this, we want the Secretary of State, Wes Streeting to put in place a winter plan that includes emergency funding to support our ambulance, urgent and emergency care services over the coming months.

Read our December Professional Network Newsletter for information on our new hospital initiative and stroke support packs. Influence the 10 Year Health Plan by having your say on the future of the NHS now...  

We are encouraging all stroke professionals in England to get involved in the national conversation to develop the Government's 10 Year Health Plan. Whilst we don’t expect the Plan to include a lot of detail on specific health conditions like stroke, it will cover many of the factors that affect stroke care. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence the Plan to make sure it meets the needs of stroke survivors. Have your say as a member of the health and social care workforce by visiting the Change NHS website. Let us know below if you have commented about stroke care?

Our Associate Director in Scotland, John Watson, had a few things to say about the 6 in 7 eligible stroke patients who missed out on a thrombectomy in Scotland last year, and what The Scottish Government can do to improve access to this game-changing treatment. 👇

Calling all stroke professionals in England! Make sure to get involved in the national conversation to develop the 10 Year Health Plan. Whilst we don’t expect the Plan to include a lot of detail on specific health conditions like stroke, it will cover many of the factors that affect stroke care. This is a great opportunity to influence the Plan to make sure it meets the needs of stroke survivors. Will you be joining the conversation at one of the Change NHS online events in Nov & Dec? The events are for all staff working across the NHS, social care and public health. The sessions cover: 🏥 from hospital to community 💾 from analogue to digital 😷 from sickness to prevention Let us know in the poll below and leave a comment to let us know which of the sessions you are most interested in. #NHSchange https://lnkd.in/eYVNH3XA

Looking at the latest figures from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), it's clear to see that in-hospital stroke care has not improved enough in the last 10 years. In fact, SSNAP figures show some aspects of basic stroke care to have worsened in that time. In 2023/24, the number of patients entering a specialist stroke unit within 4 hours of arrival at hospital was 46.7%, which is... ▪️ down from 54.9% in 2019/20 ▪️ and down again from 58% in 2013/14 This time spent waiting dramatically increases the risk of stroke survivors facing long-term poor health and disabilities. So clearly, this is to no one's benefit. SSNAP data also showed thrombectomy rates to be lagging behind the 10% target for 2027/28, with only 3.9% of patients receiving one last year. Regional disparities remain a major factor, with large parts of the UK being unable to access the service. As it stands, the current healthcare system fails to appropriately support the 90,000 people who survive a stroke every year. Juliet Bouverie, our chief executive said: “The NHS stroke pathway has long been at crisis point. The recoveries of too many stroke survivors are being put at risk due to a lack of staff, spiralling waiting times and a lack of basic stroke care provision which compromises – rather than optimises – patient recovery." The 10-year health plan is an ideal opportunity to ensure everyone who has a stroke can survive and live well. Have your say by visiting the Change NHS website https://lnkd.in/dmqrAHsZ or join the conversation at one of the Change NHS online events in Nov & Dec for all staff working across the NHS, social care and public health. https://lnkd.in/eYVNH3XA https://lnkd.in/ewzStK3x

This is your chance to influence the Stroke Association Professional Network by filling in our survey, This survey takes about 10 minutes and is for anyone working in health or social care who works with stroke survivors, ito complete including those of you who are currently signed up to our Professional Network via LinkedIn or email. As a thank you for taking the time to give us your thoughts, you have the option of entering a prize draw to win an Opløft Sit-Stand Platform (UK delivery only). The Opløft from Posturite Ltd turns your existing desk into a standing desk. This bestselling portable sit-stand platform is ideal for home or office and helps you enjoy the health and productivity benefits of sitting less. Place it on your desk and it glides up and down easily and silently with your computer on top, to change between standing and sitting while you work. Complete the survey here: https://lnkd.in/ebDmHxtY The closing date for entries is Friday 22 November 2024. See our website for full terms and conditions of the prize draw. For any queries, contact [email protected].

Imagine... You show a sign of a stroke, call 999, and a paramedic arrives. But rather than be transported to the nearest CT or MRI scan to confirm a stroke, you give a saliva sample and a stroke is confirmed shortly after. Paramedics from the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust are to begin trialing a lateral flow test funded by us, and developed at the University of Birmingham to put this theory to the test. The idea is that... when the brain is injured small fragments of genetic material called sncRNAs are released into the blood stream, which should therefore be detectable in our saliva. A similar test already exists for concussion, so the intention is to deliver something similar for stroke. If successful it could fast-track access to brain-saving treatments like thrombectomy, and reduce journeys to specialised stroke centres when they're not required. 🤞 To read the full story: https://bbc.in/40IJY3s #StrokeResearch #Stroke #StrokeCare #EmergencyResponse #Paramedic #Ambulance