Western Australians are being denied access to best-practice stroke treatment and care with the State’s hospitals falling below national averages in several critical areas, according to the Stroke Foundation.
Data has revealed 44 per cent of Western Australian stroke patients are treated in a stroke unit, well below the national average of 67 per cent.
“It is an injustice that only a small percentage of Western Australian stroke patients are accessing best-practice care that we know saves lives and reduces disability,” Stroke Foundation Western Australia State Manage Jonine Collins said.
“Not only are our patients missing out on proven treatments like thrombolysis (clot-busting medication) but less than half of stroke survivors are benefiting from stroke unit care,” she said.
“The good news is stroke is preventable, treatable and ultimately beatable.
“With a modest investment, the next Government can take positive steps towards improving the state of stroke in Western Australia.”
“With an aging population and projected increase in stroke it is crucial the next State Government takes action now before more lives are lost to this brutal disease.”
