We are fast approaching World Stroke Day, which will take place next week on October 29th.

Stroke is Wales’ fourth biggest killer. It is a leading cause of disability, instantly changing the lives of the 7,000 people who will have a stroke this year in Wales.

Annually, stroke costs NHS Wales £220 million, and the Welsh economy £1.63 billion. Without intervention, this could rise to £2.8 billion by 2035.

The Stroke Association in Wales have warned that the treatment and care of people who experience a stroke in Wales has been declining since 2019 and that “Neglecting investment in stroke will have significant consequences”.

I recently raised this in the Senedd after visiting a Stroke Group in Ruthin, where I learnt, from chatting with those in attendance, that not enough progress is being made in trying to improve outcomes for stroke patients here in Wales.

Speaking in the Chamber, I said: “Not everybody is getting access to stroke units, not everybody is getting access to reablement services in the way that they should, and, in particular, there appears to be a gap, in terms of providing psychological support, giving that mental health and well-being support to people who've suffered stroke, and indeed their carers”.

I also raised concerns about the lack of the Act FAST public awareness campaign being reinvigorated and ignited here in Wales.

The Act FAST stroke campaign urges the public to call 999 if they notice even one of the signs of a stroke in themselves, or in others:

Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?

Arms – can they raise both their arms and keep them there?

Speech – is their speech slurred?

Time – to call 999

This campaign is proven to increase awareness of the most common symptoms of stroke and improve outcomes for stroke survivors. It has had a significant impact on patients receiving stroke treatment in other parts of the UK, and it is crucial that it revived here in Wales.   

Running targeted stroke awareness campaigns alongside an Act FAST national campaign was recommended by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales in their ‘National Review of Patient Flow: a journey through the stroke pathway’ in 2023.

I also support the calls by the Stroke Association in Wales for specialist mental-health support for stroke survivors.

A recent survey conducted by the Stroke Association found that around three quarters of stroke survivors experience at least one mental health problem following a stroke, yet only 3% received support when they needed it the most. Currently, there is little specialised support available in Wales to help stroke survivors address their mental health.

Stroke is a medical emergency where every second counts, yet too many lives are lost or permanently altered because services fall short, and awareness remains low.

It is therefore crucial that we improve specialist care and educate the public on the urgent signs of stroke – only by taking such action will we transform outcomes.

• The Stroke Association is the only UK-wide charity providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. To find out more about their support services, visit Wales | Stroke Association