Stroke deaths can be cut, says specialist

SEVERAL hundred stroke victims are dying unnecessarily every year, a leading consultant warned yesterday. The provision of specialised hospital units for stroke sufferers could also reduce the risk of disability in one-in-four cases, Professor Des O’Neill said.

He criticised the Government’s failure to fund stroke units as a missed opportunity.

“For every year the Minister for Health delays the implementation of stroke units, we are losing 300-500 lives,” said Prof O’Neill.