North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has met with the Stroke Association in Parliament to discuss the charity’s work locally and nationally.
The Stroke Association are the largest charity for victims of strokes in the UK and through their campaigns such as FAST (Face, Arm, Speech and Time) are helping to educate people on the danger and commonality of strokes, as well as giving the people the knowledge to recognise the symptoms in a potentially life or death situation.
Each year around 100,000 people suffer a stroke in the United Kingdom – the equivalent of one every 5 minutes. It is the fourth largest cause of death and is the leading cause of adult disability. There are 1.2 million stroke survivors across the country and it is estimated to cost the country £26 billion a year.
In Swindon, the Stroke Association has calculated that:
- There are 1,384 stroke survivors in North Swindon
- 55% of patients believed to have suffered a stroke received a brain scan at the GWH within 1 hour (above the national average)
- 92% of patients believed to have suffered a stroke received a brain scan at the GWH within 12 hours (in line with the national average)
- 98% of eligible patients received thrombolysis clotbusting drugs (well above the national average)
During the meeting, the Stroke Association also set out some of the work they are doing to support a new National Stroke Plan for England. More details on this important new strategy are due later in the year.
Locally Justin has worked closely with the Swindon Stroke Support Group to raise awareness of the action to take if you suspect a friend or relative is have a stroke, as well as raising funds for the group to deliver activities for the stroke victims and their families.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “It is always a pleasure to meet with the Stroke Association and I look forward to sharing their ideas with Ministers. Stroke is the fourth largest cause of death in this country and the forthcoming National Stroke Plan will be an important step in improving the lives of those living with the effects of a stroke."
