​Stockton-on-Tees family calls for A New Era for Stroke

A 14 year-old-stroke survivor and her family from Stockton-on-Tees are supporting the Stroke Association’s call for a new national stroke strategy for England.

In the North East there are 16,200 people living with the devastating impact of stroke. Emily Simpson is one stroke survivor supporting the Stroke Association’s campaign to ensure people receive the support they need to recover from stroke.

Emily was just 10 years old when she had a stroke in July 2012 and collapsed in a heap at home. Noticing her face had drooped and she was limp down one side, her dad took her straight to hospital. While still in hospital a week later, Emily had a second stroke which required emergency surgery. Emily was diagnosed with Central Nervous System Vasculitis and was left with an acquired brain injury which affected her communication and cognitive skills. Emily received weekly hydrotherapy sessions following her stroke, however now receives just one hour of physiotherapy each fortnight.

The Stroke Association’s latest campaign, A New Era for Stroke, urges the Government to commit to a new national stroke strategy. The National Stroke Strategy for England was introduced to improve standards in treatment and support for people affected by stroke, and is due to end in 2017. A recent Stroke Association survey found that in the North East, 43% of stroke survivors felt abandoned when they left hospital. The charity is warning that stroke survivors’ recovery will continue to be put at serious risk unless the Government commits to a new strategy.

Emily’s mother, Carolyn Simpson, said: “When we saw Emily had the symptoms of stroke, we couldn’t believe it as we thought she was far too young. We had no idea a fit and healthy 10-year-old could be affected by the condition. We knew Emily needed the best possible treatment and care if she was going to recover.

“Emily initially had an hour of hydrotherapy each week, and now has just one hour of physiotherapy per fortnight, which isn’t enough. Fortunately she’s been able to go back to school but we still haven’t found a speech and language therapist who can support children with aphasia. That’s why we’re supporting the Stroke Association’s call for a new national stroke strategy in England.”

Alexis Wieroniey, Deputy Director of Policy and Influencing at the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke survivors have told us they feel abandoned when they leave hospital and do not have access to the vital support they need to help with their recovery. We urgently need as many petition signatures as possible to make sure these voices are heard by the Government, so it’s great to have the support of Emily and her family.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has lent their support to our campaign. But from next year, there will be nothing in place to drive forward improvements in stroke treatment and care across the country. We only need 150 signatures from each constituency before the Government will debate this issue in Parliament: to add your name, just visit www.stroke.org.uk/petition.”

To find out more about the Stroke Association’s A New Era for Stroke campaign and watch a short film about Emily and her recovery, visit www.stroke.org.uk/newera.