11 July 2007
Stroke strategy is hard to swallow
For immediate release. Page one of two
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is concerned that plans to modernise stroke services, announced by Health Secretary Alan Johnson on 9 July do not highlight the eating, drinking and swallowing problems common after stroke.
RCSLT CEO Kamini Gadhok says, "over one-fifth of stroke survivors experience swallowing problems. If not detected and treated they can lead to malnourishment and dehydration, resulting in increased hospital stay and poorer individual outcomes. They can also lead to chest infections, pneumonia and death."
The RCSLT welcomes the launch of the stroke strategy, which it says is of vital importance to the 110,000 people who have a stroke every year.
Stroke is the biggest cause of disability in adults in the UK and is increasing year by year. Speech, language or communication problems are very common after a stroke, with over one-third of stroke survivors having persistent speech, language or communication problems.
The RCSLT is delighted that one of the aims of the strategy is to allow stroke survivors to achieve higher levels of independence and hopes it will acknowledge that communication is vital to achieving independence.
"It is essential to improve stroke survivors' communication. Without the ability to communicate with and be understood by others, we are unable to make choices, have our needs met or participate in community life," Ms Gadhok adds.
Kamini Gadhok concludes, "It is vital there are adequate resources to ensure the proposals in the strategy can be delivered. At present there are not enough speech and language therapists to meet the current demand for therapy, if Government is serious about improving stroke services it needs to ensure more specialists are trained and employed to work with stroke survivors."
After discharge, stroke survivors experience problems in accessing speech and language therapy. Figures from south London acute hospitals show that 3-12 months after leaving hospital only 14% of patients had received their vital speech and language therapy (1)
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Notes for editors:
Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced plans on 9 July to modernise stroke services, when he launched A new ambition for stroke - a consultation on a national strategy to be led by Heart and Stroke Tsar Professor Roger Boyle. Visit: the Department of heath website
Among his plans, Mr Johnson is proposing to introduce a "specialist stroke team" to help improve community care and support for stroke patients once they leave hospital. He also proposes that people who have had a stroke should have access to a review of their care after six weeks and then six months of being discharged.
The RCSLT welcomes the reviews and the annual health and social care check, which would facilitate a clear pathway back to specialist review, therapy and rehabilitation if this is required by the individual.
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK and has over 13,000 members. It is responsible for setting, promoting and maintaining high standards in education, clinical practice and ethical conduct.For more information visit: www.rcslt.org
For more information contact Steven Harulow, tel: 020 7378 3004, mobile 0790 369 2426, email: steven.harulow@rcslt.org
1 Reference: Reducing brain damage: faster access to better stroke care (HC 452, Session 2005-06), National Audit Office, paragraph 1.25 and Figure 10; Evidence 21-23.
For more information contact Steven Harulow, email: steven.harulow@rcslt.org tel: 020 7378 3004