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| Stroke patients 'need more help' | Stroke patients 'need more help' |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| Many stroke patients with speech problems are being left isolated once they are discharged from hospital, campaigners say. | Many stroke patients with speech problems are being left isolated once they are discharged from hospital, campaigners say. |
| The NHS offers those with communication problems access to community support groups led by stroke specialists. | The NHS offers those with communication problems access to community support groups led by stroke specialists. |
| But the Stroke Association estimates 90% of patients in England who need such help are not getting it. | But the Stroke Association estimates 90% of patients in England who need such help are not getting it. |
| The government said extra money is being invested to improve services in the community. | The government said extra money is being invested to improve services in the community. |
| About 150,000 people a year have a stroke, and about a third of survivors are left with a communication disability as a result. | About 150,000 people a year have a stroke, and about a third of survivors are left with a communication disability as a result. |
| The loss of these basic skills can leave stroke survivors feeling imprisoned and depressed Joe Korner, of the Stroke Association class="" href="/1/hi/health/7423173.stm">'Support was a life saver' | |
| Not all of the stroke sufferers will need long-term help, but for those who have lost the ability to speak or find it difficult to use and understand language, the NHS provides communication support therapy. | Not all of the stroke sufferers will need long-term help, but for those who have lost the ability to speak or find it difficult to use and understand language, the NHS provides communication support therapy. |
| This is normally delivered in a group setting and led by a stroke specialist. The groups help patients improve their speech or develop basic sign language to allow them to communicate. | This is normally delivered in a group setting and led by a stroke specialist. The groups help patients improve their speech or develop basic sign language to allow them to communicate. |
| The Stroke Association, which runs most of the services for the NHS, found that just 1,300 people in England are accessing the care. | The Stroke Association, which runs most of the services for the NHS, found that just 1,300 people in England are accessing the care. |
| This figure represents just 12% of those who have severe communication difficulties. | This figure represents just 12% of those who have severe communication difficulties. |
| Services | Services |
| The charity's report said the situation was a little better in Wales and Scotland, but improvements could still be made. | The charity's report said the situation was a little better in Wales and Scotland, but improvements could still be made. |
| It said NHS trusts need to monitor the progress of stroke patients more carefully and ensure there were sufficient services to help them. | It said NHS trusts need to monitor the progress of stroke patients more carefully and ensure there were sufficient services to help them. |
| Joe Korner, of the Stroke Association, said: "We all need to communicate. Whether it's through speaking, a hand gesture or the blink of an eye, the ability to interact with others is crucial. | Joe Korner, of the Stroke Association, said: "We all need to communicate. Whether it's through speaking, a hand gesture or the blink of an eye, the ability to interact with others is crucial. |
| "The loss of these basic skills can leave stroke survivors feeling imprisoned and depressed." | "The loss of these basic skills can leave stroke survivors feeling imprisoned and depressed." |
| The Department of Health said money was being invested in a range of counselling and support services. | The Department of Health said money was being invested in a range of counselling and support services. |
| A spokeswoman added: "We know that long-term support needs to be better coordinated." | A spokeswoman added: "We know that long-term support needs to be better coordinated." |