The Stroke Association responds to the 2016 Autumn Statement

Today’s Autumn Statement was an opportunity for the Government to improve the lives of stroke survivors.

There are 1.2 million people in the UK rebuilding their lives after stroke and thousands of stroke survivors rely on NHS and social care services to make their best possible recovery. That’s why we are extremely disappointed that the Chancellor made no mention of health and social care in his statement today.

While we welcome the news that the Government is providing much-needed funds for the English NHS, we are alarmed that there was no announcement of any extra investment today, despite Parliament’s Health Select Committee raising serious concerns about the ability of the NHS to cope with the massive strain it faces.

The pressure on the NHS is related to the problems in the social care system – a system which is in crisis and in need of serious investment. We joined forces with other major health charities before today’s statement to call for social care to be given the funding it deserves because too many stroke survivors don’t get the care and support they need after they leave hospital. Without proper funding for social care and a national plan for improving stroke services, this situation will only continue to worsen.

As a leading funder of vital stroke research, we welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement earlier this week of extra investment to support research and innovation. Medical research is crucial to patients, the NHS and the wider economy, particularly as the UK prepares to leave the European Union. We will be working with other research funders as well as researchers to make sure this money is spent in the best way.

Finally, the Chancellor made clear that there would be no new cuts to the benefits budget. But we know that many stroke survivors and their families are worried about the changes to disability benefits that have happened over the last few years.

We’re on hand to help answer questions about these or any other issues related to stroke. Our helpline is available on 0303 3033 100