Patients and carers group highlights importance of acting FAST for World Stroke Day
Stroke is the largest cause of disability in the UK and the fourth biggest killer. In West Yorkshire and Harrogate, about 3,000 people a year have a stroke with two thirds of stroke survivors left with some form of physical, mental or emotional disability – often completely life-changing.
The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership has a group of patients, families and carers affected by stroke who share their experiences and help to shape the future of stroke services.
The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Integrated Stroke Delivery Network has been established to enable services to work more closely together and share best practice. Patient representatives ensure the views of people with experience of stroke are included in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of the ISDN’s work.
Nathan Stone, stroke survivor and patient representative for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Integrated Stroke Delivery Network (ISDN) said "Stroke is not an 'older persons' illness and can impact anyone young, old, adult, child and even the fit and outwardly healthy. Stroke does not just happen on World Stroke Day but is an all-year round condition that can strike at any time. Make sure you know the signs and to react FAST.”
Barry Rogers, stroke survivor and patient representative for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Integrated Stroke Delivery Network (ISDN) said “Being a patient representative means I’m able to share my experience and help shape service developments and improve outcomes for other stroke survivors. World Stroke Day is an event that we as patient representatives feel strongly about supporting. If you have been affected by stroke and would like to be involved with the group my advice would be to do it! We are a friendly group and you’d be most welcome."
Rachel Stewart, Network Manager for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Integrated Stroke Delivery Network (ISDN) said “World Stroke Day is a real opportunity to highlight stroke and I would like to thank our panel of patient representatives for coming together on it. Working alongside our panel of patient representatives is a great way to get ongoing feedback. We’ve built a good working relationship and a better understanding of patient experiences. We’re very much looking for more people who have been affected by stroke to join especially women and people from ethnic minority communities."
