A call to give stroke a fair go

The Stroke Foundation is calling on the next Queensland Government to build on the work it has done to prevent, treat and beat stroke by investing in action that will save lives.

The call comes following the release of a new report showing significant inequality in access to life-saving and disability reducing stroke treatment. Regional Queenslanders were among those most impacted. 

Stroke Foundation Queensland State Manager Andrea Sanders said the next state government had an opportunity to vastly improve stroke treatment and support in the state so more patients survived, avoid disability and recover.

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

“In fact, people living in regional areas are 19 percent more likely to suffer a stroke than their city counterparts. They are also less likely to have access to time-critical, best practice treatment.

“It doesn’t need to be this way.”

The Stroke Foundation National Stroke Audit Acute Services report confirmed most Queenslanders did not have access to life-saving, time-critical clot busting and clot removal treatments.

A total of 85 percent of services across the state reported they were equipped to deliver time-critical clot busting thrombolysis treatment, but only 9 percent of Queenslanders were receiving it compared to a national average of 13 percent.

It also showed endovascular thrombectomy (clot removal) services were only available in South East Queensland (Brisbane and the Gold Coast). If you are in a regional area, access to this game changing stroke treatment is virtually non-existent.

Ms Sanders said stroke was a serious medical emergency requiring urgent medical attention but with the right treatment at the right time many people are able to recover from stroke. 

“When someone suffers a stroke every minute counts. FAST access to treatment means a greater chance of recovery and decreased costs to our health system,’’ she said.

“Every household must have someone who knows the signs of stroke and to call triple zero (000), we then must harness tele-medicine technology to ensure all Queenslanders have access to the best stroke treatment and care, regardless of where they live.

“Where you live shouldn’t impact your access to best stroke treatment and care and investment in telemedicine can save lives and reduce disability,” she said.

The push comes after the Liberal National Party (LNP) last week pledged, if elected, to commit $1.26 million to roll-out a Queensland-wide Stroke Tele-medicine service on top of $2.16 million over three years for the Stroke Foundation’s FAST campaign.

The Stroke Foundation acknowledged state government investment in chronic disease prevention, access to stroke units and the quality of stroke care had delivered results. Stroke Units alone have almost doubled to 23 (from 13 in 2011).

Ms Sanders said this investment highlighted what could be achieved, it was now time to take the next step in talking the state’s stroke challenge.

“Where calling for now is the Queensland Labor party equal or better the LNP’s commitment, to ensure all Queenslander’s have a fair at living and living well after a stroke,” she said. 

For more on A fair go for stroke – Queensland Election Platform

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.