Stroke 'activist' calls for Federal action
Woy Woy "stroke activist" Ms Brenda Booth is calling for the Federal Government to urgently address dangerous gaps in stroke treatment and care.
Ms Booth is one of 17 stroke activists who joined the Stroke Foundation in Canberra for the launch of its election platform on February 29.
Ms Booth met with members of parliament to share with them how a stroke has impacted her life.
Ms Booth had a stroke caused by a tear in her internal carotid artery in 2001 when she was 41 years old.
Her speech, sight and right arm were affected.
While she said she was lucky to have these physical issues resolved, there are other legacies of the stroke including affected speech and memory, and chronic fatigue, which have added challenges to her life and recovery.
"Because I look OK, many people assume that everything is back to normal.
"But it isn't the case.
"There are still issues that affect stroke survivors and their families even when the purely physical effects of stroke improve," she said.
"There is a real lack of information and support for stroke survivors and their families.
"The right treatment and support can make a big the difference in how well you recover from stroke.
"The government has the power to make sure all Australians have access to high quality stroke care.
"I'm sharing my story in the hope that others will avoid going through what I did."
Stroke Foundation CEO Ms Sharon McGowan said stories like Brenda's were the reason the Foundation was travelling to Canberra to outline how lives could be changed if there was government action on stroke.
"Brenda's story highlights how the current health system is failing Australian stroke patients and their families," Ms McGowan said.
"The tragedy is Australia could be a world leader in stroke care.
"We have some of the most brilliant minds working in the field of stroke but a lack of investment and coordination has meant stroke patients continue to go without.
"Last year alone Robertson residents suffered close to 450 strokes.
"How many more lives need to be severely impacted before something is done to ensure all stroke patients receive the treatment and care they need and deserve?
"The Government has an enormous opportunity to make a difference.
"A modest $44 million investment will allow us to start to urgently address the gaps in stroke treatment and care," Ms McGowan said.
The year 2016 marks 20 years since all Australian governments agreed to make the killer disease a national health priority.
In that time there has never been funding for a stroke strategy.
"It is time for all parties to wake up to the reality of the nation's stroke burden," Ms McGowan said.
Media release, 24 Feb 2016
Rachel Murphy, Stroke Foundation