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Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Scottish Government failing Lanarkshire stroke survivors according to leading charity
Figures released by Public Heath Scotland this week as part of their Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme revealed the country is falling unacceptably short of its own target of 80% of stroke patients receiving an inpatient bundle which aims to ensure the best chance of survival and recovery. The Scottish Government has failed stroke survivors in Lanarkshire according to a leading charity. Figures released by Public Heath Scotland this week as part of their Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme revealed the country is falling unacceptably short of its own target of 80% of stroke patients receiving an inpatient bundle which aims to ensure the best chance of survival and recovery. The bundle, which includes aspirin, access to a stroke unit, brain imaging, and swallow screening was given to just 52.9 per cent of Scotland's 11,341 stroke patients. Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), the country's largest health charity, is urging the Scottish Government to make stroke care an urgent priority as well as demanding widespread improvements for the delivery of thrombectomy, a potentially life-changing procedure. Stroke is still one of the biggest causes of long-term adult disability in Scotland, and the quality of care is crucial for recovery. Allan Cowie, chief operating officer at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: 'Unfortunately, once again, the statistics laid out by Public Health Scotland make for grim reading. 'While we have seen a slight increase in the number of people receiving the stroke bundle in the Lanarkshire health board there is still work to be done to reach the Scottish Government's 80 per cent target. 'Sadly this is the seventh straight year that the Scottish Government has failed to hit its own targets for stroke care. This government has failed stroke survivors and is failing our NHS colleagues who are doing the absolute best they can with the inadequate resources they're currently being given. 'While we recognise the financial constraints facing the government, the continued underinvestment in stroke care is resulting in significantly higher long-term costs - both through prolonged hospital stays and the extensive support required for individuals living with stroke-related disabilities. This ongoing shortfall is not only economically unsustainable but is also costing lives. Immediate action is imperative.' If you're living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and are looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland's Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@
Daily Record
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Scottish Government failing West Lothian stroke survivors according to leading charity
Figures released by Public Heath Scotland this week as part of their Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme revealed the country is falling unacceptably short of its own target of 80% of stroke patients receiving an inpatient bundle which aims to ensure the best chance of survival and recovery. The Scottish Government has failed stroke survivors in the Lothians according to a leading charity. More than half of stroke patients in NHS Lothian received care defined by national standards last year. Figures released by Public Heath Scotland this week as part of their Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme revealed the country is falling unacceptably short of its own target of 80 per cent of stroke patients receiving an inpatient bundle which aims to ensure the best chance of survival and recovery. The bundle, which includes aspirin, access to a stroke unit, brain imaging, and swallow screening was given to just 52.9 per cent of Scotland's 11,341 stroke patients. In Lothian, 56.3% of 1,446 stroke patients received the inpatient bundle in 2024, a 2.1 per cent increase from 2023, which is still short of the Scottish Government's 80 per cent target. Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), the country's largest health charity, is urging the Scottish Government to make stroke care an urgent priority as well as demanding widespread improvements for the delivery of thrombectomy, a potentially life-changing procedure. Stroke is still one of the biggest causes of long-term adult disability in Scotland, and the quality of care is crucial for recovery. Allan Cowie, chief operating officer at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: 'NHS Lothian is working in partnership with CHSS to enhance stroke care across the region. 'Together, we are delivering CHSS Community Healthcare Support Services, which includes a Community Stroke Specialist Nurse service, Community Support Services, and a six-week supported self-management programme for patients. 'This collaboration is focused on improving the quality of care and supporting better recovery outcomes for people affected by stroke. 'Although there is work to be done to reach the Scottish Government's target we recognise there is a full pathway of support for stroke survivors in the Lothian area. 'We have worked in partnership with NHS Lothian who has offered us a lot of support and investment in stroke care in recent years and we are keen to continue working with them to reach more stroke survivors.' Mr Cowie added: 'Unfortunately, once again, the statistics laid out by Public Health Scotland make for grim reading. 'Sadly this is the seventh straight year that the Scottish Government has failed to hit its own targets for stroke care. This government has failed stroke survivors and is failing our NHS colleagues who are doing the absolute best they can with the inadequate resources they're currently being given. 'While we recognise the financial constraints facing the government, the continued underinvestment in stroke care is resulting in significantly higher long-term costs - both through prolonged hospital stays and the extensive support required for individuals living with stroke-related disabilities. This ongoing shortfall is not only economically unsustainable but is also costing lives. Immediate action is imperative.' If you're living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and are looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland's Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@
STV News
6 days ago
- Health
- STV News
The Scottish Government has 'failed' stroke survivors, says charity
The Scottish Government has failed stroke survivors for the seventh straight year in a row, a charity has said. Figures released by Public Health Scotland on Tuesday show that the country is falling 'unacceptably short' of its own targets for stroke patients. Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland said just over half of the 11,341 Scots (53%) who had a stroke last year got access to a care bundle, which includes aspirin, access to a specialised unit, brain imaging, and a swallow screening. That's short of the Government's own target of 80%. Even fewer stroke patients (2.2%) received a thrombectomy, which is a procedure to remove a blood clot from a blood vessel. It's a potentially life-changing operation, according to the charity, and the Scottish figures are 'well below' other comparable nations. 'This government has failed stroke survivors and is failing our NHS colleagues who are doing the absolute best they can with the inadequate resources they're currently being given,' Allan Cowie, chief operating officer at the charity, said. 'Scotland is also falling further behind similar-sized nations, such as the Republic of Ireland, in the delivery of potentially life-changing thrombectomy procedures.' He said 10.8% of stroke patients in the Republic of Ireland received a thrombectomy in 2024, compared to NHS Scotland figures, and the Scottish Government's own target of 10%. 'While Scotland's rate has improved marginally, the disparity remains stark. This is unacceptable,' Mr Cowie said. It's a procedure that two-time stroke survivor Michael Macdonald called a 'game-changer'. Mr Macdonald received a thrombectomy after his first stroke at 33-years-old in 2023. He said he feels 'lucky'. 'I didn't realise this procedure is only available 9-5, Monday to Friday,' he said. 'I got to hospital at 4.30 in the afternoon, and I was lucky that the stroke team decided I needed to be treated right away, and they all stayed to do that. 'Now, knowing the difference thrombectomy can make in recovery, I think it's essential that this procedure is available to everyone, no matter where you live or what time you are admitted to hospital. It's a gamechanger where stroke recovery is concerned.' Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland said stroke is one of the biggest causes of long-term adult disability in Scotland, and it said the quality of care is crucial for recovery. The charity is urging the Scottish Government to make stroke care an urgent priority, and it is demanding widespread improvements for the delivery of thrombectomy. Scottish health secretary Neil Gray said: 'I want to do everything we possibly can in government to ensure we're making improvements to stroke care. 'That's why I'm pleased to see we have made improvements in the number of people getting access to thrombectomy services, but we know there is more to do.' In the vast majority of stroke cases, Gray said thrombectomy procedures are 'absolutely critical'. That's why he said the Scottish Government has invested £50m into NHS services. 'We need to do more so we can continue to save lives and give people the best opportunity of being able to live well after having a stroke,' Gray said. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
