08/07/2025
At Plymouth Neurophysio our specialist team of Neurological Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Rehab Therapists & adaptive personal trainers can help individuals regain mobility, function and independence after a stroke. We are a friendly and highly experienced team with accessible clinic facilities. We also provide home visits. Please contact our friendly team on 01752 289904 or email office@plymouthneurophysio.com if you’d like to know more. We’d be very happy to help.
Yesterday, the Government announced a new 10-Year Health Plan for England, while a recent headline from The Guardian reinforces why we need it.
According to the health ombudsman for England, the NHS has repeatedly failed in its diagnosis and care of stroke patients. Complaints to the ombudsman of 'missed symptoms' and 'delays to diagnosis' have risen by two-thirds in the last five years, and recent figures show that fewer than half of stroke patients (46.6%) are arriving at a specialist stroke unit within four hours of symptoms starting. This increases the risk of death and long-term disabilities such as paralysis, memory loss and communication problems.
Here's what stroke survivor, Kirsty thought after reading the article:
'As a stroke survivor, this is heartbreaking to read. I count myself as one of the lucky ones. I recognised the signs quickly, the ambulance came fast, and I received excellent care from the stroke team. I’ll always be grateful for that. But not everyone gets that same chance.
'This article highlights missed diagnoses, poor communication, and failing aftercare. It’s not just about surviving a stroke, it’s about surviving with dignity, with proper rehab, and with the support people deserve.
'If you’ve had a stroke or supported someone through one, you deserve more than just survival, you deserve proper care, support, and a recovery that’s respected.
'Stroke can happen to anyone, at any age and getting it wrong can mean the difference between life, death, or lifelong disability.'
To finish, the ombudsman added, clinicians need to act quicker in the event of a stroke, even if the symptoms are atypical, and communication and collaboration need to improve if diagnostic and treatment pathways are going to deliver the best possible outcome for patients.
Stroke treatment is not only urgent, but time sensitive, and no patient should have to endure worse outcomes because of missed symptoms or delays to diagnosis. The NHS needs to learn from these findings.
