Views are being sought on “Improving Stroke Services”, which is designed to make improvements in the key areas of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
The Minister said: “I would ask everyone to examine these proposals in detail and use the consultation questionnaire to make your views known and to influence how stroke services are provided into the future.
“Each year in Northern Ireland around 4,000 people have their lives, and the lives of their families and carers, dramatically changed by stroke.
“A significant number of these could be avoided by people making changes to their lifestyles; more exercise, less alcohol and more attention to diet can all make a major contribution.
“In fact, cutting down or cutting out smoking will make the most significant lifestyle contribution to a reduction in stroke and the enormous personal impact that it brings.”
The Minister also stressed the need for people to be aware of the other health factors which make a stroke more likely.
He added: “It is known that the main clinical risk factors for stroke are high blood pressure and a history of heart attack or Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)”.
The Minister launched the draft strategy during a visit to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he also kicked off his consultation with health and care staff over the draft budget allocation for health. The Minister is keen to hear the views of staff on what they see as funding priorities, focussing today on the views of those working in acute care within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
The Minister will also be visiting each of the other four Trust areas before Christmas, focussing on other service areas such as elderly care, children, primary/community care and mental health and learning disability.
Notes to Editors:
1. A stroke is the brain equivalent of a heart attack. It happens when part of the brain is deprived of blood. Blood carries oxygen and essential nutrients to the brain and disruption to this blood supply can cause brain cells to die.
2. A Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), often called a mini-stroke, happens when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted for a short period of time but resumes before there is any permanent loss of function. The symptoms are very similar to stroke, but are temporary, lasting in some cases only a few minutes and always resolved within 24 hours.
3. Improving Stroke Services can be accessed on the Department’s website 
. The consultation closes on 29-02-08.
Copies can also be obtained by contacting:
secondary.care@dhsspsni.gov.uk
Secondary Care Directorate
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Room 1, Annexe 1
Castle buildings
Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3SQ
Tel: 028 90528626 Fax: 028 90523302
4. Press enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 90520575 or 07833 668748.
