Stroke survivors here at risk due to lack of rehabilitation therapy
Stroke is the third biggest killer in Northern Ireland and a leading cause of disability.
Stroke survivors’ recoveries are being put at risk due to a lack of rehabilitation therapy after they leave hospital, according to the Stroke Association today (8 May 2018).
Rehabilitation therapy, which includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, can help stroke survivors relearn basic skills such as how to walk, talk and even eat again so they can regain their independence.
NICE guidelines recommend at least 45 minutes, five days a week of each type of rehabilitation therapy needed by stroke survivors for as long as it’s of benefit to them. However, the Stroke Association has revealed that, on average, stroke survivors only receive around a third of that.
The finding comes from the latest Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme report for 2016 to 2017 on stroke patients discharged from hospital. It shows that stroke survivors in Northern Ireland received:
· between 10 and 20 minutes of physiotherapy per day
· between 9 and 13 minutes of occupational therapy per day
· between 4 and 7 minutes of speech and language therapy per day.
Stroke is the third biggest killer in Northern Ireland and a leading cause of disability.
The charity is calling on health authorities in Northern Ireland to prioritise meeting the recommended standards of rehabilitation to ensure that stroke survivors can make their best recovery and rebuild their lives.
Barry Macaulay, Director of Stroke Association NI, said: “There are more than 36,000 stroke survivors in Northern Ireland, over half of whom are left with a long-term disability following their stroke. Stroke survivors often tell us they feel abandoned when they leave hospital and that they struggle to access care and support to help them with their recovery.
“While there is no question that dedicated therapists work hard to help stroke survivors, the resources available are not sufficient to provide everyone with the level of therapy they need. This means that many are being denied the chance to make the best recovery possible.
“There will be a public consultation later this year on plans to reshape stroke services in Northern Ireland. This will include both acute stroke services and long-term support in the community. We therefore have a golden opportunity to not only prevent stroke and save lives, but to also greatly improve the rehab offer to stroke survivors in Northern Ireland”.
Paul McLean, an English and drama teacher from Lurgan, had a stroke two years ago when he was 40. Paul’s stroke left him with aphasia – a common communication difficulty after stroke.
He said: “After I left hospital, I received intensive speech and language therapy. The therapist was excellent and without the support she provided I know I wouldn’t be able to speak today. However, I know this isn’t the case for all stroke survivors. There are others I know of, in the same Trust area as me, who did not receive any therapy or support following their stroke”.
Dr Niamh Kennedy, a cognitive neuroscientist and lecturer in Psychology at Ulster University, emphasises the importance of rehab following stroke: “Stroke can be devastating, not only for the person who has the stroke, but also for their families and friends.
"Stroke can impact on a person’s mobility, speech and vision and can cause extreme tiredness and fatigue. However, research shows that intensive rehabilitation therapy following stroke can help people adapt to life after stroke and regain their independence.
"Rehabilitation should be a priority for stroke survivors, however the sad truth is that many people in Northern Ireland are not getting as much rehabilitation as they should”.
The Stroke Association in Northern Ireland are currently working with Dr Kennedy to look at the long-term support needs of stroke survivors and their carers.
If you are a stroke survivor, the carer of a stroke survivor or a professional providing stroke care and want to be involved and share your views on current stroke care and what future provision should look like, get in touch with Dr. Kennedy, Ulster University, at n.kennedy@ulster.ac.uk or on 028 7012 3027