The Irish Heart Foundation has launched a campaign to secure better services for the 10,000 people who have a stroke in this country each year.
Although stroke is Ireland’s third biggest killer and our biggest cause of acquired disability, services in most places are grossly inadequate. The result is that hundreds of people are dying each year when their lives could be saved, and thousands more are living with an avoidable or unduly prolonged disability.
In a health system where the ability to shout the loudest is often more important than the greatest need, stroke patients have been left at the back of the queue. We want them to have a voice so the unnecessary death and suffering caused by years of under-investment in stroke services can be ended.
But we can’t change the system on our own. We are calling on stroke survivors, friends and family members of anyone who has had a stroke to join our campaign.
The more people who join, the better the chance of securing change so stroke patients receive the medical treatment they deserve.
To join the campaign, log on to www.stroke.ie or contact Chris Macey, Irish Heart Foundation, 4 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 at 01 668 5001.
Chris Macey
Head of advocacy
Irish Heart Foundation
