Local health charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS) has welcomed today’s publication by the Department of Health of an Action Plan to address the need to reform Stroke Care.
“This Action Plan is very welcome. We are glad to see dates set for further improvements in care.”
“We would have hoped for more action to prevent strokes and more urgency in the measures to assist people in the community after they have had a stroke, but we understand the pressures the health service has been under in recent years.”
Commented Neil Johnston, Public Affairs and Policy Manager for NICHS.
“Through our Care Services we come into contact every year with thousands of people who have experienced a stroke and we are very aware that they, and their carers, are not currently receiving the help they need and deserve.”
“However, it is great to see that progress continues to be made and we look forward to seeing this plan implemented over the next few years.”
“We must constantly be aware that the current services are simply not as good as they could be, and people are ending up more disabled than they would have been had these changes been implemented sooner. So, it is essential that reform is progressed including, ultimately, a decision on where the Hyper Acute Stroke Units will be based.”
