Press release -
Celebrities including James Norton and Julian Fellowes call for A New Era for Stroke
War and Peace stars James Norton and Jessie Buckley, Downtown Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, and BBC Radio One DJ Greg James are among over 11,000 people who have signed a Stroke Association petition calling for a new national stroke strategy for England.
The charity’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. The Stroke Association is warning that stroke survivors’ recovery will continue to be put at serious risk unless the Government commits to a new strategy.
Julian Fellowes said: “The sad truth is that stroke is closer than you think. Almost all of us will know and love someone who has experienced a stroke. This cruel condition can strike an 18-month-old baby or a 90-year-old man, and it can devastate lives. But being written off after a stroke can be even worse. That’s why I’m joining the Stroke Association in calling for a new national stroke strategy for England to help stroke survivors get the care and support they need to make the best recovery possible.”
Dominic Brand, Director of External Affairs 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 need as many petition signatures as possible to make sure these voices are heard by the Government, so it’s fantastic to see James Norton, Jessie Buckley, Julian Fellowes and Greg James show their support for stroke survivors.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has lent their support to our campaign. But we need 100,000 signatures before the Government will debate this issue in Parliament : to add your signature, just visit www.stroke.org.uk/petition.”
To find out more about the Stroke Association’s A New Era for Stroke campaign, visit www.stroke.org.uk/petition.
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A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is one of the largest causes of disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
