The National Stroke Strategy: Have your say

The Alzheimer's Society and The Stroke Association have joined forces at this important time to promote the links between stroke and dementia and encourage anyone with an interest to take part in the consultation exercise, which will end on 12th October.

Many people are not aware that stroke is a risk factor for dementia with up to one third of stroke survivors meeting the criteria for vascular dementia three months after their stroke. Up to 74% of stroke survivors develop cognitive impairment after stroke and there is a nine fold increase in dementia risk several years after stroke. With 110,000 strokes happening in England every year and at least 300,000 people in England living with moderate to severe disabilities as a result, stroke related dementia remains a huge problem. Unfortunately, far too many people who have dementia as a result of stroke do not have access to the services they require.

An improvement in stroke services through, for example, greater integration between specialists would benefit all concerned. It would facilitate earlier diagnosis, improve acute and secondary preventative care and enable people with vascular dementia to access rehabilitative therapies. Stroke patients would receive better long-term support, particularly in the community, and advice to help them cope with any cognitive difficulties.

That is why both The Alzheimer's Society and The Stroke Association welcome the publication of the draft strategy and hope that it will improve the lives of many people suffering from dementia and their carers.

We broadly welcome the recommendations in the draft strategy as a major step forward in the provision of stroke services. However, to ensure that these good intentions are translated into urgently needed action, the strategy must be explicit about how the NHS should improve stroke services at local level, and about the provision of adequate resources to support these services. We also believe that milestones will be required to show that progress is being made.

We would like anyone with an interest in stroke to respond to the consultation document and are encouraging stroke survivors and their carers who have experience of dementia to tell the Department of Health (DH) about their experiences. By responding you will demonstrate how important it is that we have a national stroke strategy in England, and how important it is that Government treats it as a top priority.

The Department of Health (DH) has produced an easy access version of the consultation document. If you would like copies of this please call The Stroke Association on 01604 623938 or order them directly from the DH on 08701 555455 or email dh@prolog.uk.com.