2,500 stroke deaths in Ireland needless - IHF

The Irish Heart Foundation has claimed that 2,500 Irish people die needlessly from strokes each year due to the poor management of rehabilitation services

Brian Maurer, the foundation's president, said only 5% of patients receive stroke unit care in the Republic of Ireland, compared to 70% in the North.

Speaking at the launch of "Happy Heart Week", Dr Maurer said re-organising the system would save lives and money.