Latest news with #NorthEastandNorthCumbriaNHS
South Wales Guardian
19-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Charity expresses concern over ‘decline' in stroke after-care
A new snapshot poll of stroke care found that just under a quarter (24.8%) of stroke patients received a speech and language therapy (SLT) assessment within 24 hours of arrival at hospital, and less than half get this check within 72 hours. The Stroke Association said that around a third of stroke survivors will suffer aphasia – a language and communication disability, which leaves people struggling to speak, read, write or understand language. ⚠️Every day in May, 240 people will wake up to the life-changing impact of a stroke This #StrokeAwarenessMonth, help raise awareness of the impact of stroke so that the Stroke Association can help more people find strength through support. ➡️ — North East and North Cumbria NHS (@NENC_NHS) May 7, 2025 And speech and language therapy is most effective the sooner it is delivered after a stroke, it said. But according to its easement of the latest data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), the amount of time spent delivering speech and language therapy in hospital has declined by 10% in the last five years. It is recommended that rehabilitation after a stroke which also includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy should be provided for a minimum of three hours a day, five times a week in the aftermath of a stroke. However the charity said that data from the audit – which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland – from October to December last year suggests that just over a third (35%) are getting the recommended levels of support. The charity is calling for all stroke patients to get the recommended levels of speech and language therapy. It is also calling for stroke survivors to have a six-month review after the figures suggest that only 39% were given this 'vital' assessment in the last three months to 2024. Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: 'It is unacceptable that vital speech and language therapy assessments for stroke survivors have declined in recent years. 'Losing the ability to communicate after a stroke can be one of the scariest and most unsettling aspects in the early stages after a stroke. 'In the long-term, speech and language therapy plays a huge part in boosting a stroke survivor's overall quality of life to support good mental health by helping to ensure they can enjoy the simple pleasure of communication. 'Whilst the skill, effort and true dedication of the NHS workforce cannot be questioned, there is a real and urgent need to recruit, train and retain more staff who can provide rehabilitation tailored to the needs of individual stroke survivors for as long as they need it.' Kelly Williams, 55, from Birmingham had two strokes in 2017 which left her with aphasia and unable to say her own name for three years. She said that it was 'days 'before she received her speech and language assessment in hospital and that she did not have any speech therapy in hospital at all. She also had to wait until she was given care in the community. 'I knew nothing about what was happening to me, my family were confused because they didn't know how to communicate with me,' said Ms Williams. 'What I needed was someone to tell me that I had aphasia, what that meant, and what I could do about it – but no one did. 'I am so grateful for my care from NHS staff, but it upsets me when I see so many people struggling, especially those who have received little or no help from speech and language therapy – those assessments are vital.' A Welsh Government spokesperson said it funds multi-professional rehabilitation support workers with £200,000 each year, adding: 'All health boards in Wales provide specialist speech and language therapy services for people with a range of conditions, including stroke.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We are committed to improving stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery through our 10 Year Health Plan, including making sure we have the right staff in the right place to deliver the care patients need when they need it.' A spokesperson for the Department of Health Northern Ireland added: 'The Stroke Action Plan recognises that there are pressures within the stroke service and the stroke workforce, whilst recognising the huge efforts made by all staff to provide high quality care. 'The department is currently progressing a stroke workforce review which is tasked with planning for a stroke workforce of the right size, with the right skills, deployed in the right way to deliver safe, effective and quality stroke services, based on data, evidence and analysis of current and future population health needs.'
South Wales Argus
19-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Charity expresses concern over ‘decline' in stroke after-care
A new snapshot poll of stroke care found that just under a quarter (24.8%) of stroke patients received a speech and language therapy (SLT) assessment within 24 hours of arrival at hospital, and less than half get this check within 72 hours. The Stroke Association said that around a third of stroke survivors will suffer aphasia – a language and communication disability, which leaves people struggling to speak, read, write or understand language. ⚠️Every day in May, 240 people will wake up to the life-changing impact of a stroke This #StrokeAwarenessMonth, help raise awareness of the impact of stroke so that the Stroke Association can help more people find strength through support. ➡️ — North East and North Cumbria NHS (@NENC_NHS) May 7, 2025 And speech and language therapy is most effective the sooner it is delivered after a stroke, it said. But according to its easement of the latest data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), the amount of time spent delivering speech and language therapy in hospital has declined by 10% in the last five years. It is recommended that rehabilitation after a stroke which also includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy should be provided for a minimum of three hours a day, five times a week in the aftermath of a stroke. However the charity said that data from the audit – which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland – from October to December last year suggests that just over a third (35%) are getting the recommended levels of support. The charity is calling for all stroke patients to get the recommended levels of speech and language therapy. It is also calling for stroke survivors to have a six-month review after the figures suggest that only 39% were given this 'vital' assessment in the last three months to 2024. Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: 'It is unacceptable that vital speech and language therapy assessments for stroke survivors have declined in recent years. 'Losing the ability to communicate after a stroke can be one of the scariest and most unsettling aspects in the early stages after a stroke. 'In the long-term, speech and language therapy plays a huge part in boosting a stroke survivor's overall quality of life to support good mental health by helping to ensure they can enjoy the simple pleasure of communication. 'Whilst the skill, effort and true dedication of the NHS workforce cannot be questioned, there is a real and urgent need to recruit, train and retain more staff who can provide rehabilitation tailored to the needs of individual stroke survivors for as long as they need it.' Kelly Williams, 55, from Birmingham had two strokes in 2017 which left her with aphasia and unable to say her own name for three years. She said that it was 'days 'before she received her speech and language assessment in hospital and that she did not have any speech therapy in hospital at all. Kelly Williams, 55, from Birmingham had two strokes in 2017 and said it was 'days' before she received a speech and language assessment (Stroke Association/PA) She also had to wait until she was given care in the community. 'I knew nothing about what was happening to me, my family were confused because they didn't know how to communicate with me,' said Ms Williams. 'What I needed was someone to tell me that I had aphasia, what that meant, and what I could do about it – but no one did. 'I am so grateful for my care from NHS staff, but it upsets me when I see so many people struggling, especially those who have received little or no help from speech and language therapy – those assessments are vital.' A Welsh Government spokesperson said it funds multi-professional rehabilitation support workers with £200,000 each year, adding: 'All health boards in Wales provide specialist speech and language therapy services for people with a range of conditions, including stroke.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We are committed to improving stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery through our 10 Year Health Plan, including making sure we have the right staff in the right place to deliver the care patients need when they need it.' A spokesperson for the Department of Health Northern Ireland added: 'The Stroke Action Plan recognises that there are pressures within the stroke service and the stroke workforce, whilst recognising the huge efforts made by all staff to provide high quality care. 'The department is currently progressing a stroke workforce review which is tasked with planning for a stroke workforce of the right size, with the right skills, deployed in the right way to deliver safe, effective and quality stroke services, based on data, evidence and analysis of current and future population health needs.'
Rhyl Journal
19-05-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Charity expresses concern over ‘decline' in stroke after-care
A new snapshot poll of stroke care found that just under a quarter (24.8%) of stroke patients received a speech and language therapy (SLT) assessment within 24 hours of arrival at hospital, and less than half get this check within 72 hours. The Stroke Association said that around a third of stroke survivors will suffer aphasia – a language and communication disability, which leaves people struggling to speak, read, write or understand language. ⚠️Every day in May, 240 people will wake up to the life-changing impact of a stroke This #StrokeAwarenessMonth, help raise awareness of the impact of stroke so that the Stroke Association can help more people find strength through support. ➡️ — North East and North Cumbria NHS (@NENC_NHS) May 7, 2025 And speech and language therapy is most effective the sooner it is delivered after a stroke, it said. But according to its easement of the latest data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), the amount of time spent delivering speech and language therapy in hospital has declined by 10% in the last five years. It is recommended that rehabilitation after a stroke which also includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy should be provided for a minimum of three hours a day, five times a week in the aftermath of a stroke. However the charity said that data from the audit – which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland – from October to December last year suggests that just over a third (35%) are getting the recommended levels of support. The charity is calling for all stroke patients to get the recommended levels of speech and language therapy. It is also calling for stroke survivors to have a six-month review after the figures suggest that only 39% were given this 'vital' assessment in the last three months to 2024. Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: 'It is unacceptable that vital speech and language therapy assessments for stroke survivors have declined in recent years. 'Losing the ability to communicate after a stroke can be one of the scariest and most unsettling aspects in the early stages after a stroke. 'In the long-term, speech and language therapy plays a huge part in boosting a stroke survivor's overall quality of life to support good mental health by helping to ensure they can enjoy the simple pleasure of communication. 'Whilst the skill, effort and true dedication of the NHS workforce cannot be questioned, there is a real and urgent need to recruit, train and retain more staff who can provide rehabilitation tailored to the needs of individual stroke survivors for as long as they need it.' Kelly Williams, 55, from Birmingham had two strokes in 2017 which left her with aphasia and unable to say her own name for three years. She said that it was 'days 'before she received her speech and language assessment in hospital and that she did not have any speech therapy in hospital at all. She also had to wait until she was given care in the community. 'I knew nothing about what was happening to me, my family were confused because they didn't know how to communicate with me,' said Ms Williams. 'What I needed was someone to tell me that I had aphasia, what that meant, and what I could do about it – but no one did. 'I am so grateful for my care from NHS staff, but it upsets me when I see so many people struggling, especially those who have received little or no help from speech and language therapy – those assessments are vital.' A Welsh Government spokesperson said it funds multi-professional rehabilitation support workers with £200,000 each year, adding: 'All health boards in Wales provide specialist speech and language therapy services for people with a range of conditions, including stroke.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We are committed to improving stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery through our 10 Year Health Plan, including making sure we have the right staff in the right place to deliver the care patients need when they need it.' A spokesperson for the Department of Health Northern Ireland added: 'The Stroke Action Plan recognises that there are pressures within the stroke service and the stroke workforce, whilst recognising the huge efforts made by all staff to provide high quality care. 'The department is currently progressing a stroke workforce review which is tasked with planning for a stroke workforce of the right size, with the right skills, deployed in the right way to deliver safe, effective and quality stroke services, based on data, evidence and analysis of current and future population health needs.'
Western Telegraph
18-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Charity expresses concern over ‘decline' in stroke after-care
A new snapshot poll of stroke care found that just under a quarter (24.8%) of stroke patients received a speech and language therapy (SLT) assessment within 24 hours of arrival at hospital, and less than half get this check within 72 hours. The Stroke Association said that around a third of stroke survivors will suffer aphasia – a language and communication disability, which leaves people struggling to speak, read, write or understand language. ⚠️Every day in May, 240 people will wake up to the life-changing impact of a stroke This #StrokeAwarenessMonth, help raise awareness of the impact of stroke so that the Stroke Association can help more people find strength through support. ➡️ — North East and North Cumbria NHS (@NENC_NHS) May 7, 2025 And speech and language therapy is most effective the sooner it is delivered after a stroke, it said. But according to its easement of the latest data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), the amount of time spent delivering speech and language therapy in hospital has declined by 10% in the last five years. It is recommended that rehabilitation after a stroke which also includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy should be provided for a minimum of three hours a day, five times a week in the aftermath of a stroke. However the charity said that data from the audit – which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland – from October to December last year suggests that just over a third (35%) are getting the recommended levels of support. The charity is calling for all stroke patients to get the recommended levels of speech and language therapy. It is also calling for stroke survivors to have a six-month review after the figures suggest that only 39% were given this 'vital' assessment in the last three months to 2024. Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: 'It is unacceptable that vital speech and language therapy assessments for stroke survivors have declined in recent years. 'Losing the ability to communicate after a stroke can be one of the scariest and most unsettling aspects in the early stages after a stroke. 'In the long-term, speech and language therapy plays a huge part in boosting a stroke survivor's overall quality of life to support good mental health by helping to ensure they can enjoy the simple pleasure of communication. 'Whilst the skill, effort and true dedication of the NHS workforce cannot be questioned, there is a real and urgent need to recruit, train and retain more staff who can provide rehabilitation tailored to the needs of individual stroke survivors for as long as they need it.' Kelly Williams, 55, from Birmingham had two strokes in 2017 which left her with aphasia and unable to say her own name for three years. She said that it was 'days 'before she received her speech and language assessment in hospital and that she did not have any speech therapy in hospital at all. Kelly Williams, 55, from Birmingham had two strokes in 2017 and said it was 'days' before she received a speech and language assessment (Stroke Association/PA) She also had to wait until she was given care in the community. 'I knew nothing about what was happening to me, my family were confused because they didn't know how to communicate with me,' said Ms Williams. 'What I needed was someone to tell me that I had aphasia, what that meant, and what I could do about it – but no one did. 'I am so grateful for my care from NHS staff, but it upsets me when I see so many people struggling, especially those who have received little or no help from speech and language therapy – those assessments are vital.' A Welsh Government spokesperson said it funds multi-professional rehabilitation support workers with £200,000 each year, adding: 'All health boards in Wales provide specialist speech and language therapy services for people with a range of conditions, including stroke.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We are committed to improving stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery through our 10 Year Health Plan, including making sure we have the right staff in the right place to deliver the care patients need when they need it.' A spokesperson for the Department of Health Northern Ireland added: 'The Stroke Action Plan recognises that there are pressures within the stroke service and the stroke workforce, whilst recognising the huge efforts made by all staff to provide high quality care. 'The department is currently progressing a stroke workforce review which is tasked with planning for a stroke workforce of the right size, with the right skills, deployed in the right way to deliver safe, effective and quality stroke services, based on data, evidence and analysis of current and future population health needs.'
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tackling bad cholesterol levels with statins may reduce dementia risk
Cholesterol-busting drugs have been linked to reducing the risk of dementia in a new study. Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the UK, with around seven to eight million people taking them to cut their chance of heart attack and stroke. Now new research suggests they may have more benefits. Experts found that people who have low levels of 'bad' cholesterol in their blood have a reduced risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. And use of statins was found to have 'additional protective effects'. Statins are a group of medicines that can help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol (LDL- C) is often referred to as 'bad cholesterol' and can cause plaque to build in arteries, leading to cardiovascular disease, which can increase the chance of strokes, heart attacks and death. Are you aged over 40 and haven't had a cholesterol test in the past 5 years? High cholesterol often doesn't have symptoms, but it can increase your risk of heart problems or stroke. Take control of your health and get your cholesterol checked today! 💙#StrokePreventionDay — North East and North Cumbria NHS (@NENC_NHS) January 30, 2025 Researchers from South Korea said their findings 'underscore the crucial role of managing LDL- C in lowering dementia risk'. Experts examined health data on more than 570,000 people in South Korea. The NHS says that people should aim for bad cholesterol levels in the blood to be below 4mmol/L (millimoles per litre). Researchers found that people whose LDL cholesterol levels were below 1.8 mmol/L had a 26% reduced risk of dementia and a 28% reduced risk in Alzheimer's compared to those who have LDL cholesterol levels above 3.4 mmol/L. Statin use appeared to have additional protection against dementia in the presence of low LDL cholesterol levels. Among people with LDL cholesterol levels below 1.8 mmol/L, statin use was linked to a 13% reduction in dementia risk and a 12% decrease in risk of Alzheimer's disease compared with non-users. 'These findings emphasise the importance of targeted LDL- C management as part of dementia prevention strategies, with potential integration into clinical guidelines,' the authors wrote in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 'The results support the use of statin therapy within specific LDL- C ranges for both cardiovascular and cognitive health benefits.' They added: 'This insightful understanding of how statin use interacts with LDL- C levels emphasises the need for personalised statin prescriptions, focusing on achieving LDL- C levels that offer the maximum cognitive benefits.' Commenting on the study, Dr Julia Dudley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: 'This large study looked at patient records for levels of LDL cholesterol and the risk of dementia, it also examined those patients who were on statins. 'It found that those people with lower LDL levels had a reduced risk of dementia. 'The use of statins seemed to offer a protective effect – even in those who already had cholesterol levels within a lower range. 'However, dementia risk is complex and influenced by many factors. Without a detailed picture of what's going on in the brain we do not know if there is a direct link between lower cholesterol and reduced dementia risk. Clinical trials will be key to understand what effects statins might be having on disease processes in the brain. 'In the meantime, keeping our hearts healthy remains one of the most effective ways we can protect our brain health. If you have any concerns about your cholesterol levels, you should speak to your GP.' Dr Richard Oakley from the Alzheimer's Society added: 'Dementia risk is complicated and determined by several factors including genetics, lifestyle, and the environment. 'This study adds to our understanding by showing the strong connection between heart and brain health. Simply put, what is good for the heart is good for the head.' He added: 'This is an ever-evolving topic, and more targeted research and trials are needed to understand whether statins can help protect the brain. However, it is crucial to talk to your GP before making any changes to your medication'.
