The recently published National Audit Office (NAO) report Reducing brain damage: Faster Access to Better Stroke Care, has revealed that the cost of stroke to the public purse is almost three times more than previously calculated. This means stroke is by far the most expensive illness in the UK, costing £7 billion a year. But this huge cost is not inevitable and, according to The Stroke Association, could be significantly reduced through increased public awareness and improved stroke services.
At least 40% of strokes could be prevented by tackling the major risk factors and The Stroke Association is calling on the Government to act now on the NAO’s recommendations to fund an immediate campaign to raise public awareness on the symptoms of stroke and how to reduce the risks.
“The National Audit Office report reveals that huge sums of money are being spent on stroke care which needs to be put to better use saving lives and improving stroke outcomes” commented Jon Barrick, chief executive of The Stroke Association. “It is time to act urgently on stroke – the country’s third biggest killer and the biggest cause of severe disability. The NAO report demonstrates that the faster the diagnosis, the higher the quality of care and rehabilitation that stroke patients receive the better will be the outcome. The better the outcome the more likely it is that stroke patients can avoid lengthy stays in hospital and long term disability. This will not only reduce the financial impact of stroke upon health and social care services but also the huge emotional and economic impact upon families and carers.”
