Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has signed the Stroke Action Plan for Europe which aims to transform stroke care across the Continent by 2030.

The Irish Heart Foundation played a significant role in developing the Plan, which targets major improvements across the entire chain of care including prevention, acute care, rehabilitation and community-based life after stroke services and supports.

Minister Carroll MacNeill said she signed the Plan in recognition of the high burden of stroke on individuals, families, carers and society. “We know that as our population ages, the incidence of stroke is expected to rise substantially. The Stroke Action Plan for Europe sets out a clear roadmap for the development of evidence-informed stroke policy and services in Ireland to meet our demographic challenges.”

HSE National Stroke Programme lead Prof Ronan Collins said: “Today marks a major milestone in the future direction of stroke care in Ireland. The burden of stroke is enormous on Irish society with one in four of us having a stroke in our lifetime. National and international research now predicts that new cases of stroke could rise by up to up to 59% in the next two decades.”

Irish Heart Foundation Director of Advocacy and Patient Support Chris Macey described the signing of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe as, ”a landmark day for stroke care in Ireland and for tens of thousands of people of all ages and walks of life affected by the condition. The signing of the action plan marks a solid commitment to the development of comprehensive prevention, acute treatment and rehabilitation services that will minimise death and disability from stroke. Signing the Plan also signifies our commitment to creating post discharge protocols and supports that will help maximise the ability of survivors to live the best lives possible after stroke strikes”.

See the full Stroke Action Plan for Europe press release from the Department of Health here