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Stroke Victims: Treatment

My Lords, I am delighted to follow the noble Lord, Lord Rodgers, whom I would claim as a friend of mine for many years. I am particularly pleased that he chose this subject for debate; it is worth while, for several reasons. And I am glad to hear that he has led an exemplary life, as he pointed out. I declare my own interest, as I speak in part from an experience that I have undergone, which was partly good and partly not so good. I suffered a severe haemorrhagic stroke in December 1999, which was probably the worst time to have been hospitalised, as the millennium celebrations loomed, depriving hospitals of some of their regular staff. Therapists form a crucial role, especially in the early stages following the attack. But I was lucky, too—and so were the pedestrians whom I managed to avoid in my car that day. How I got into the House of Lords car park I really do not know. I was driving over Westminster Bridge on my way to speak at a parliamentary dinner when it all occurred. When I was here, I was immediately rushed to a good hospital, diagnosed and treated early enough to have been spared to participate in this debate today, albeit that I had to spend 10 weeks in hospital at that time. I thank all my parliamentary colleagues from all parts of the House for the support that I received through these difficult years, which undoubtedly encouraged my rehabilitation. Many victims, very young as well as old, are not so fortunate. Sadly, a good outcome is all too often subject to a postcode lottery. According to the Stroke Association, lack of awareness and lack of resources are responsible for hundreds of needless deaths and serious disability in countless patients who might otherwise have made a full recovery. As the noble Lord, Lord Rodgers, has eloquently drawn attention to, stroke is one of the top three causes of death in England, possibly in the United Kingdom, and a leading cause of serious disability. Many do not realise that there is only a small window of opportunity after suffering a stroke and that it is imperative that victims have rapid access to the highest quality diagnostic and treatment services. Technology, in the form of CT scanners, is a vital modern medical tool, but therapy services are undervalued and play a pivotal part in the patient’s potential recovery. Speech, and clarity of speech, preserve communication without which life may simply not be worth living. Physiotherapists facilitate immobile limbs to regain some, if not full, function, and occupational therapy encourages independence in daily tasks. Some patients may even obtain access to a neuro-psychologist. I know from my own experience, particularly in this House, that at first people do not understand what you are trying to say. Gradually that impairment is reduced for many, including myself, and now, of course, many simply disagree with whatever I have to say. These dedicated therapeutic professionals leave the NHS in considerable numbers and sometimes have to be contracted back from the private sector, where their earning capacity more realistically reflects their value to society. I again have to declare an interest—I have speech, physio and occupational therapists as close family members, and am very proud of them. I hope that, occasionally, they are proud of me. Thankfully, after so many years of ignorance and neglect, the Department of Health is now beginning to treat this sudden affliction with the priority that it deserves and to develop a nationwide approach to address these concerns. The initiative of the noble Lord, Lord Rodgers, to encourage speedier action is much to be welcomed. More efficient and more effective practice would, according to experts, save at least £20 million annually. On that basis as well as on the alleviation of potential physical and psychological suffering, we must all strive to keep the Government on their toes. Finally, I owe a tremendous debt to the group at the Royal Free Hospital—to which the noble Lord, Lord Rodgers, referred—most but not all of whom have suffered strokes. I look forward to our meetings on Wednesday mornings. I have gained enormously from what its members have said and done, and I thank them for it. Long may that continue.