A fairer go for stroke in Queensland

The Stroke Foundation has welcomed today’s Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP) commitment, if elected, to ensure all Queenslanders have access the best in stroke treatment to get a fair go at living well after stroke.

LNP Shadow Minister for Health John-Paul Langbroek pledged to deliver a state-wide stroke telemedicine service and system to ensure all Queenslanders have access to time-critical stroke treatment. Mr Langbroek also announced a partnership with the Stroke Foundation to ensure every Queensland household knows the signs of stroke along with new supports for the state’s young stroke survivors.

Stroke Foundation Queensland State Manager Andrea Sanders said funding would improve outcomes for the one in six who will suffer a stroke in their lifetime.

“This year alone Queenslanders will experience more than 10,000 strokes, many of these will be experienced by people living in regional areas,’’ Ms Sanders said.

“Stroke kills more women than breast cancer, more men than prostate cancer and leaves thousands more with an ongoing disability. However it doesn’t have to be this way.

“Stroke can be treated and it can be beaten, but only if patients can access high quality stroke treatment fast.

“Today’s commitment to action increasing awareness of stroke and access to time-critical stroke treatment will save lives,’’ she said.

Ms Sanders said the Stroke Foundation was now calling for leadership from all political parties to commit to key priorities to improve the state of stroke, outlined in its A fair go for stroke platform.

“This election presents an opportunity to vastly improve access to stroke treatment and support in our state so more patients survive, avoid disability and recover,’’ she said.

“I welcome today’s commitment and call on all political parties to make stroke an election priority, recognising the looming challenge in our state. “Stroke doesn’t discriminate – it impacts people across all walks of life, in all areas of the state. It is time we take a cross-party approach and look at how we can give all Queenslanders a fair go at living well after stroke.”

Queensland stroke facts:

• One stroke every nine minutes in Australia.
• 90,255 stroke survivors in Queensland community (19 percent of Australia’s stroke population.
• 27,076 Queensland stroke survivors are of working age.
• Stroke also impacts the Australian economy to the extent of $5 billion per year, including $3 billion in lost productivity.
• F.A.S.T is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke.
  • Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
  • Arms – Can they lift both arms?
  • Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
  • Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call triple zero (000) straight away.