Heart Foundation publishes stroke manifesto

Written by Paul Mulholland Monday, 30 November 2009 15:15

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The Irish Heart Found­ation (IHF) has launched a 16-point plan to eliminate avoidable death and disability as a result of stroke.

Amongst the recommendations in the manifesto, are a call for a major education drive on how to reduce a person’s risk of having a stroke; that every hospital has a fully functioning stroke unit; and that stroke networks are established in compliance with international guidelines.

Another recommendation is for thrombolysis services to be available 24/7 in all hospitals and for more consultant stroke physicians to be appointed.

The plan also calls on the Government to provide consultant-led rapid access clinics on a regional basis that are open seven days a week, and for regional stroke coordinators to be appointed to ensure stroke services are meeting the needs of local populations.

The latest figures show that less than one-third of acute hospitals have a stroke unit, according to the IHF, while at least 15 per cent of strokes in Ireland are misdiagnosed, amounting to over 1,500 cases every year.

The Foundation argues that a national network of stroke units could save up to 500 lives a year.

“Every day that passes without adequate stroke services results in unnecessary death and disability in our population, causing untold misery for the families of many stroke sufferers,” Medical Director of the IHF Dr Brian Maurer said.

“We know that the Government and the HSE are working to prioritise action in this area but the lack of stroke units, thrombolysis, experienced stroke physicians, TIA clinics and rehabilitation services across large parts of the country continues to put patients in unnecessary and intolerable danger.”

Meanwhile, heart charity Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation, has appointed a founding member, Prof Kieran Daly, as Board Chairman.

Prof Daly has been Research and Medical Director of the Foundation since it was established in 1985.

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