Healthy economy for healthier state
June 22, 2018
The Stroke Foundation has welcomed the New South Wales State Government’s $25 billion budget boost for health, in particular the $60 million investment in cardiovascular medical research including stroke.
Stroke Foundation News South Wales State Manager Teresa Howarth applauded the State Government for its foresight in advancing innovation to stem the increasing impact of stroke and other cardiovascular disease on the community and the health system.
“New South Wales is home to 12 of Australia’s top 20 hot spots for stroke incidence. This year alone almost 19,000 strokes will be experienced by the people of our state,’’ Ms Howarth said.
“Too many people are losing their lives or being left with an ongoing disability as a result of stroke, but it does not need to be this way.
“Stroke is a largely preventable and treatable disease. Research will help us beat it,’’ she said.
Ms Howarth said it was also important to ensure these innovations, when they come, were translated into improved practice benefiting all New South Wales residents.
“Currently, people of New South Wales are forced into a cruel lottery of stroke treatment and care,’’ she said.
“Some patients do have access to first-class health services, however most do not. Patients outcomes vary widely depending on where people live with those in regional and rural areas of the state worst impacted.
“Stroke can be treated. We must ensure all patients across the state get world-class, timely care in our hospitals and health services no matter where they live - treatment and ongoing specialist care that we know saves lives.’’
Ms Howarth said the State Government’s record investment in infrastructure and emergency response were vital steps forward in providing a better life for those impacted by stroke and also reducing the diseases burden on the community, health system and economy.
“The State Government has done a great job in ensuring New South Wales has a healthy budget, it now has an opportunity to harness its financial and economic strength to deliver a world-class health system for all the people of our state,’’ she said.
“It is vital the people of New South Wales have access to the healthcare they need and deserve,’’ she said.
“This includes time critical stroke treatments we know save lives. Unfortunately, access to these treatments outside of our state’s major centres is limited due to stroke specialists primarily being located in our cities.
“However, the State Government’s Budget investment provides an important foundation for a state-wide telemedicine network providing emergency treatment for stroke patients and other time-critical conditions 24 hours a day, seven days a week across the state.”
Stroke FAST Facts
• Almost 19,000 strokes will be experienced by people in New South Wales this year.
• Almost 160,000 stroke survivors are living in the New South Wales community.
• One stroke every nine minutes in Australia.
• Around 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.
• 65 percent of stroke survivors are left with ongoing disability after their stroke.
• 35 percent of stroke patients in New South Wales reach hospital within the window (4.5 hours) for clot busting treatment.
• The F.A.S.T. test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke. Using the F.A.S.T. test involves asking these simple questions:
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 000 straight away.
Stroke Foundation News South Wales State Manager Teresa Howarth applauded the State Government for its foresight in advancing innovation to stem the increasing impact of stroke and other cardiovascular disease on the community and the health system.
“New South Wales is home to 12 of Australia’s top 20 hot spots for stroke incidence. This year alone almost 19,000 strokes will be experienced by the people of our state,’’ Ms Howarth said.
“Too many people are losing their lives or being left with an ongoing disability as a result of stroke, but it does not need to be this way.
“Stroke is a largely preventable and treatable disease. Research will help us beat it,’’ she said.
Ms Howarth said it was also important to ensure these innovations, when they come, were translated into improved practice benefiting all New South Wales residents.
“Currently, people of New South Wales are forced into a cruel lottery of stroke treatment and care,’’ she said.
“Some patients do have access to first-class health services, however most do not. Patients outcomes vary widely depending on where people live with those in regional and rural areas of the state worst impacted.
“Stroke can be treated. We must ensure all patients across the state get world-class, timely care in our hospitals and health services no matter where they live - treatment and ongoing specialist care that we know saves lives.’’
Ms Howarth said the State Government’s record investment in infrastructure and emergency response were vital steps forward in providing a better life for those impacted by stroke and also reducing the diseases burden on the community, health system and economy.
“The State Government has done a great job in ensuring New South Wales has a healthy budget, it now has an opportunity to harness its financial and economic strength to deliver a world-class health system for all the people of our state,’’ she said.
“It is vital the people of New South Wales have access to the healthcare they need and deserve,’’ she said.
“This includes time critical stroke treatments we know save lives. Unfortunately, access to these treatments outside of our state’s major centres is limited due to stroke specialists primarily being located in our cities.
“However, the State Government’s Budget investment provides an important foundation for a state-wide telemedicine network providing emergency treatment for stroke patients and other time-critical conditions 24 hours a day, seven days a week across the state.”
Stroke FAST Facts
• Almost 19,000 strokes will be experienced by people in New South Wales this year.
• Almost 160,000 stroke survivors are living in the New South Wales community.
• One stroke every nine minutes in Australia.
• Around 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.
• 65 percent of stroke survivors are left with ongoing disability after their stroke.
• 35 percent of stroke patients in New South Wales reach hospital within the window (4.5 hours) for clot busting treatment.
• The F.A.S.T. test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke. Using the F.A.S.T. test involves asking these simple questions:
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 000 straight away.