Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke are backing a call for action on plans to change stroke care in Northern Ireland.
“It is incredible to think that 1,000 days – almost three years – have passed since the consultation on reforming stroke care closed and we have had yet to see decisive action from the Minister and the Department of Health.” Commented Neil Johnston, Public Affairs and Policy Manager for NICHS.
“Everyone appreciates that COVID has impacted hugely but the fact is the longer we take to reform means more people will end up being more disabled than they would have been had we pressed on more quickly with improving services.”
“Our Chief Executive, Declan Cunnane has signed this letter on behalf of NICHS alongside numerous clinicians and other charities all of whom are united about the need for action.”
“NICHS is very much aware that staff in the health service continue to introduce change at a grass roots level – enabling more people to access Early Supported Discharge and to get home more quickly for example, however, we need leadership from the Minster and the Department of Health to make the big changes we need to see.”
“Last September NICHS launched a NICHS Stroke Manifesto in Parliament Buildings outlining in detail the areas that need to be addressed and yet eight months later and we still await decisions and a timetable for change.
