Andrew Marr (TV presenter) spoke to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) about his life post stroke. Andrew suffered a stroke nearly 4 years ago, aged just 53 years old. Around 152,000 people suffer a stroke each year in the UK, with 1 in 4 being under the age of retirement.
Andrew’s observation of the current stroke strategy in the UK is that ‘we are absolutely brilliant at saving people’s lives from stroke but we are not good in saving people’s quality of life after a stroke. I realised that if I was going to make any improvements, I needed more physiotherapy than the NHS system was going to provide.’
Intensive Physiotherapy.
Mr Marr was able to continue with a high intensity of specialist neurological physiotherapy once discharged from hospital. He was having private physiotherapy three times a week and his physiotherapist agrees that the ‘intensity of physiotherapy was only available privately.’
Andrew’s physiotherapist sees a similar picture that we also come across here at MNC. That there is a gap in the service at the later stage of stroke/neurological rehabilitation. A common beliefs expressed by our patients is that they feel abandoned, and they have reached their potential.
Andrew knows he is fortunate. ‘Others are less lucky and don’t have the money to spend on [additional physio]. But if 50 per cent of the people of working age with strokes were able to get back to work and paying taxes, rather than receiving benefit for the rest of their lives, think of the effect on the welfare budget.’
National Stroke Strategy.
This comes at a time when The National Stroke Strategy (a framework for delivering effective stroke services) comes to an end next year. Over the last 10 years The National Stroke Strategy has led to huge improvements, with a 46% drop in mortality rates. It makes sense that life-saving treatment is followed-up by life-enhancing rehabilitation to ensure stroke survivors have speedy and sufficient access to physiotherapy is an essential part of their recovery, which is vital for empowering them to regain independence and take an active role in their community, family and workplace.
If you or a family member are wanting to continue with your recovery journey, why not call and speak to one of our specialist physiotherapist’s today and see what we can do for you.
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