Health Minister must deliver on commitments to enhance life-changing stroke treatment

Responding to the return of the Stormont institutions, Northern Ireland Associate Director Alasdair O’Hara said:

“The Stroke Association welcome the return of the Northern Ireland Executive and are looking forward to working with Ministers and MLAs to make stroke the priority it needs to be.

“We now have a significant opportunity to address issues in stroke care and improve outcomes for people affected by stroke, while also reducing pressures on our health and social care services.

“Stroke is one of the biggest killers in Northern Ireland and a leading cause of adult disability. Every three hours someone has a stroke in Northern Ireland, and its impact can last a lifetime.

“The last few years have seen a decline in timely access to specialist stroke care, more and more stroke survivors and families feeling abandoned after hospital and a stroke workforce feeling increasingly overworked and undervalued.

“The Stroke Action Plan published by Minister Swann in 2022 provides the roadmap for improving and transforming stroke services in Northern Ireland. We now must give it the multi-year investment and political leadership it needs to truly deliver better conditions and outcomes for both people affected by stroke and the stroke workforce.

“One thing that could be implemented quickly by Minister Swann is providing the funding that is required to move to a 24/7 thrombectomy service. Thrombectomy is a game-changing treatment for stroke that saves brains, saves money and changes lives. Despite brilliant efforts from stroke doctors, nurses, paramedics and their teams to expand this service over the past few years, it is still not available 24/7 in Northern Ireland. This means many people who could benefit are missing out.

“Stroke must be a key priority for the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly. The stroke community will not accept another decade of unmet need and broken promises”.

Co. Down stroke survivor and Stroke Association volunteer Chris Mahood is also urging the Health Minister to deliver much-needed improvements in stroke care.

“Stroke does not just affect the individual, it affects everybody around you,” said Chris.

“The new Health Minister must make stroke a priority and ensure that the workforce and resources are in place to not only treat strokes but also provide long-term rehabilitation and support for as long as people need it.”