Today I gave a speech at Jigsaw the Stroke Group in Bolton (pictured) along with The Stroke Association who were launching a survey on physiotherapy services. This is a subject particularly close to my heart as my own Dad suffered a massive stroke 5 years which has left him unable to speak and confined to a wheelchair.

I am campaigning for more recognition of Strokes and an improvement of care whilst in hospital and on the patient’s return home.

Please find below the press release put out by The Stroke Association which I am supporting.

Stroke survivors from across the region are being asked their views on their experiences of physiotherapy they’ve received following their stroke.

Members of the Jigsaw Stroke Club in Bolton are being visited by the Conservative MP Candidate for Bolton NE, Deborah Dunleavy, when they will be taking part in a survey being commissioned by The Stroke Association to assess the levels of physiotherapy support they’ve received.

The Stroke Association wants to find out what current access stroke survivors have to physiotherapy. The results of the survey will be used to help The Stroke Association form a report that will be presented to the Government and Primary Care Trusts next year. It is hoped that this campaign will improve access to physiotherapy after hospital for all stroke survivors across the UK.

Angela Walkden, Regional Manager for The Stroke Association, said, ‘For many stroke survivors, physiotherapy provides an essential means of rehabilitation following a stroke. We’d like to encourage those who’ve recently had a stroke to give us their input as to the quantity and quality of physiotherapy they’ve received.’

Anyone who has had a stroke in the last two years is being asked to share their views by completing the survey. Questionnaires can be completed on-line, or can be sent by post. People with communication difficulties following stroke can also access an aphasia-friendly version of the survey. To complete the survey, visit The Stroke Association’s website at www.stroke.org.uk, email campaigns@stroke.org.uk, or ring the Campaigns Team on 0207 566 1510.

Deborah with the stroke support group Jigsaw