Source: Government of Ireland
The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD has signed the Stroke Action Plan for Europe (SAPE) and announced plans to develop Ireland’s next National Stroke Strategy.
The new strategy will be developed in consultation with patients, academia, advocacy, clinicians and policy makers. It will also support Ireland in aligning with the SAPE.
The aim of the SAPE is to improve the entire stroke care pathway, from prevention and early treatment to support and after-care. It will improve outcomes for patients and carers and is recommended as a cost-effective measure by the European Stroke Organisation. By signing the Plan, Minister Carroll MacNeill sets the direction for the development of future stroke strategy in Ireland, recognising the unique needs of those who suffer a stroke.
The next stroke strategy will be developed in tandem with the Programme for Government commitment to develop a Cardiovascular Plan. This recognises that there are shared common risk factors between cardiovascular disease, stroke and other common non-communicable diseases. However, the development of the next Stroke Strategy will ensure the unique care needs of people who suffer a stroke are recognised and that our services are future proofed against the predicted rise in cases of stroke over the next two decades.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
Clinical Lead for the HSE’s National Stroke Programme Professor Ronan Collins said:
Director of Advocacy and Patient Support at the Irish Heart Foundation, Chris Macey, said: