Like one in four survivors of stroke, Emma Beesley was discharged from hospital with no information about the journey she had in front of her.
Her parents, living three hours away, were left to help navigate the local rehabilitation system.
And the fact is, Australians in regional centres like Broken Hill are 17% more likely to experience a stroke than those in metropolitan areas, which is why it’s vital the same level of care is provided across the state.
More than 1200 people leave New South Wales hospitals each year without the necessary guidance and support to help them navigate the next step in their recovery, says Stroke Foundation (SF).
“When I did get into rehab, I was the youngest person there, it was actually quite traumatising,” Ms Beesley said.
Battling depression and uncertainty about the future, it took 12 months for a speech therapist to give a name to the condition that had robbed her of her voice – Aphasia, a language and communication disorder.
Emma’s case, and many other similar ones, is why SF is seeking a $2.6m over five years to support the StrokeConnect Navigator Program, to provide New South Wales survivors of stroke with enhanced support after leaving hospital.
Luke Hays, National Manager at StrokeConnect Support, says there’s a huge opportunity for government to review and reset the focus on post-stroke support.
“An investment now in raising stroke awareness and empowering survivors of stroke to make their best recovery possible will create significant change in the years to come and save millions of health dollars for use in other critical areas,” Mr Hays said.
In Broken Hill, through the Far West Local Health District, patients who have suffered a stroke can access outpatient services through GP referral via the Broken Hill Health Service.
“The provision of these services is dependent on their ongoing needs. Patients may also access non-government service providers for assistance if required,” a FWLHD spokesperson told the Barrier Truth.
To find out more about Stroke Foundation’s request for the New South Wales government to invest in its StrokeConnect Navigator Program, visit https://strokefoundation.org.au/how-you-can-help/get-involved/advocate-with-us/nsw
