UK stroke care needs urgent attention, shows report, calling for government action

A new report has revealed a crisis in UK stroke care, particularly amongst younger adults, with patients facing a postcode lottery for life saving treatments. The Stroke Association is now calling on the government to take urgent action.

The new report from the Stroke Association has revealed that the UK is facing a stroke crisis that could overwhelm the NHS by 2035 if not dealt with immediately.

The report, Unlocking potential: a bold vision for stroke care in England, reveals that the number of stroke patients is expected to double by 2035, expecting to cost the NHS £75bn annually.

Many of these patients will be facing long-term disability, and stroke is increasingly affecting younger adults under 55 years old. It also highlights that gaps in acute care are costing lives, with only 47 per cent of stroke patients admitted to a stroke unit within four hours from 2023 to 24, down from 58 per cent a decade ago.

Findings from the report also reveal that only 4.2 per cent of patients receive life-saving thrombectomy treatment compared to more than 10 per cent in other advanced healthcare systems, and patients now face a postcode lottery for treatments.

Equally concerning, the report reveals that 60 per cent of stroke survivors leave the hospital with a disability, and only 39 per cent of stroke survivors receive a six-month review, leaving 42,000 patients annually without essential post-stroke support.

The Stroke Association is now calling on the government to take immediate action, urging strategic investment in prevention, rapid treatment, and innovative rehabilitation.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director of NHS England, said: “Strokes are a leading cause of death and complex disabilities for adults in the UK, and the NHS is committed to helping people affected by this condition.

“As this report highlights, there is both the need and opportunity to improve stroke care in England. This includes supporting people to manage high-risk health conditions and improving access to lifesaving and disability-reducing innovations to improve the lives of stroke survivors across England.”

Innovation in stroke care

The report highlights innovative care models and treatment plans which the Association says could greatly improve stroke care in the UK, as well as bring the Government closer to its goal of reducing stroke and cardiovascular deaths by 25 per cent by 2035.

The Stroke Association has set out key actions across the stroke care pathway, which it suggests could feed into the Government’s upcoming 10 Year Health Plan, to ensure all stroke patients get effective prevention, treatment and care.

These actions include expanding blood pressure screening and lifestyle interventions, using AI and virtual rehab to improve stroke care, ensuring access to therapy and stroke rehab, 24/7 access to thrombectomy and stroke units, investment in community rehab and therapy access, dedicated stroke leadership in the Department of Health, and better stroke prevention through NHS Health Checks.

Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association, said: “The 10 Year Health Plan is an extraordinary opportunity to transform healthcare and the many vital aspects which impact on the lives of stroke patients. Stroke rates keep rising, particularly amongst younger people, yet NHS pressures and deep inequalities in care across the country are failing patients.

“The Stroke Association supports thousands of patients and their loved ones every year, so we know first-hand the challenges that stroke survivors face due to the unfair and avoidable inequalities that continue to blight stroke care. Innovations such as PVT must be extended to ensure that every stroke survivor benefits from the incredible medical and digital advances we now have.

“Through clear steps in the 10 Year Health Plan, we’re calling on the Government to show the conviction and leadership needed to reset cardiovascular care and put it on a trajectory toward equity, innovation, and excellence across the country.”