Stroke patients ‘being let down by NHS care standards’

Poor standards of NHS care for stroke survivors are preventing patients from receiving the best possible chance of recovery, according to a new report.

A briefing from the Stroke Association has suggested a lack of post-hospital care – as well as poor coordination between health and social care services – is leaving many sufferers feeling abandoned upon their return home.

Survey results published by the charity revealed that 38 percent of stroke survivors had not received an assessment of their health and social care needs, while 53 percent of those whose stroke occurred in the last three years received only one assessment.

Meanwhile, just under one-fifth said they have had their services withdrawn despite a lack of change in their needs and almost half said their families and carers have had to take an active role in coordinating care.

Jon Barrick, chief executive at the Stroke Association, said: "The NHS and local authorities are failing in their responsibilities to provide appropriate and timely support to stroke survivors and their families."

This comes after the government aired a new series of TV adverts during February and March 2012 as part of Act FAST, its ongoing public stroke awareness campaign.