Call for a Debate on Stroke Care

Order of Business, 1st April, 2010

Senator Rónán Mullen:  The Minister for Health and Children’s statement that the Government’s cardiovascular policy and implementation plan, which would transform stroke services, will go to Cabinet within a week has been welcomed by the Irish Heart Foundation, among others. Implementation can only be effective if funding is provided. It is said that the death rate from stroke would be reduced by 25% if patients had access to stroke units but only 11 acute hospitals have such units. Thrombolysis, a miraculous treatment which could help 20% of patients, was only provided to 178 acute stroke patients last year. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate with the Minister for Health and Children at the earliest opportunity. Not only do we need a plan, we desperately need to have funding earmarked for its implementation.