Life After Stroke Services

Description

Across England it is recognised that Stroke is the third largest cause of death, and a major cause of disability and social care need. The impact of stroke is substantial, with high costs associated, long lengths of stay in hospital and high levels of avoidable disability and mortality. Within England: • Approximately 110,000 people experience a stroke every year. • 20-30% people die within a month of experiencing a stroke. • 25% of strokes occur to people under the age of 65. • There are approximately 900,000 people living with the effects of stroke. • 300,000 people live with moderate to severe disability as a result of experiencing a stroke. (National Stroke Strategy 2007) Lot 1: On average 630 patients registered with a North East Essex GP experience stroke each year. The impact of stroke is huge with high costs associated, long lengths of stay in hospital and high levels of avoidable disability and mortality. As the risk of developing a stroke increases sharply with age the number of new strokes will increase with the increased number of older people in North East Essex. To limit or even reverse this trend the underlying risk of stroke needs to be reduced. In other words, the modifiable risk factors need to be addressed’ (Dr Danny Showell, Locum Consultant in Public Health, April 2010). North East Essex is addressing Primary and Secondary prevention to reduce the number of people experiencing a stroke and aims to reduce the long-term impact having a stroke has on individuals and their family/carers.