Stroke Association

Link to story https://www.hsj.co.uk/clinical/learning-disabilities-added-to-long-term-plan-clinical-priorities/7023130.article

Dominic Brand, Executive Director of External Affairs at the Stroke Association said:

“We welcome the announcement by NHS England today which recognises stroke as a key priority condition within the new Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases focus. We’re pleased that NHS England recognised the need to continue to drive through the advances that are so desperately needed in stroke treatment and care. It is thanks to the support and commitment of all the stroke survivors and their families who campaigned with us and the dedicated professional stroke community that this devastating condition is now getting the recognition it deserves. Despite improvements in hospital treatment, stroke remains the 4th biggest killer and the leading cause of adult disability so it’s only right that it receives equal attention alongside other major conditions such as cancer and heart disease.

“We are also pleased to be taking a leading role in the development and implementation of the Stroke Programme which will sit under the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disease framework. Juliet Bouverie, Chief Executive of the Stroke Association co-chairs the group and will continue to lead on ensuring the voices of stroke survivors are heard and represented. We look forward to welcoming the new national plan for stroke which will provide more detail on what this new focus on stroke will mean in practice. Today’s announcement is great news for everyone affected by stroke. We will work to ensure that we see the same level of improvements in stroke rehabilitation and long-term support that we have seen in hospital treatment over the last 10 years so that no more stroke survivors feel abandoned when they leave hospital.”

Alexis Kolodziej, Deputy Director for Policy at the Stroke Association said: “A stroke can sometimes be caused if you tear the lining of an artery in your neck. In many cases, there’s no clear reason behind this happening, but for some people it could be the result of an injury. There is a very small chance that an injury might be caused by extending your neck back in a chair to have your hair washed, but no definitive link has been established between hair washing and strokes. If you are worried about your stroke risk, the most important step you can take is to get your blood pressure checked. High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke but it is treatable. It often presents no symptoms, so many people are unaware that they have it. Getting your blood pressure tested only takes a moment and it could save your life, so regular checks are extremely important.”