NEARLY a half of carers for people affected by stroke in the North-East are potentially going without vital support and benefits, new figures have revealed.

The Stroke Association’s latest survey of over 1,100 stroke survivors, carers and professionals has found that over 46 per cent carers in the region did not get a carer’s assessment. This assessment provides access to practical, emotional and financial support.

The findings come as the The Stroke Association’s latest campaign, A New Era for Stroke, calls on the Government to commit to a national new stroke strategy, as the present 10-year strategy for England ends in 2017.

The charity is warning that stroke survivors will be denied access to the support they need, putting carers at risk of additional strain, unless the Government commits to a new strategy.

Among those supporting a petition is videographer Donna King, 29, had a massive stroke in February 2013, just five months after giving birth to her first baby girl, Millie Alice.

The stroke left her paralysed down the right hand side of her body, while she also lost her ability to swallow and her speech, hearing and her vision was also severely affected.

Against doctors’ expectations, Donna refused to give up and walked out of hospital with a walking stick three months later to walk unaided down the aisle at her wedding to fiancé Nicky King in the Lake District last July.

Donna’s then fiancé Nicky cared for Donna after her stroke and they were well supported once Donna was discharged from hospital.

Donna said: “We had a positive experience in terms of support and were visited by the Community Stroke Team four days a week, before I received physiotherapy and occupational therapy for three years.

“I know we were very lucky because of where we live but I regularly speak to other people who live in different areas who received nowhere near the same level of support.

“I would encourage everyone to sign the petition, to ensure other carers receive the same level of support regardless of postcode.”

The .latest survey found around 23 per cent of carers they did not feel prepared when the person they cared for was discharged from hospital.

Peter Moore, regional director at the Stroke Association, said: “Carers are under immense pressure, supporting their loved ones whose speech, mobility and emotional wellbeing could all be affected following a stroke.

“These latest figures show that that too many are being denied the vital support they need, and are left facing this situation with little or no external support.

“It comes as no surprise that well over three quarters of carers in the North-East told us that it is sometimes difficult to cope, and more than a third said they did not have enough help and support once the person they cared for returned home.

He added: “Stroke causes an emotional shockwave for stroke survivors and their families – many of whom become unpaid carers overnight.

The condition can strike in an instant, and throws husbands, wives, partners and children into crisis. These figures show that too many carers are being let down by a lack of support or training, and are left struggling to come to terms with what is often a life-changing situation.”

To add your name to the petition calling on the Goverment to commit to a new national stroke strategy visit: www.stroke.org.uk/petition.