Survivors of stroke to get role in research

Professor Anne Forster, professor of stroke rehabilitation and the clinical lead of the Yorkshire Stroke Research Network, based at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, issued an invitation to stroke survivors from across the region to attend a discussion forum on Friday.

Interest in the event at the Holiday Inn, Garforth, Leeds has been unprecedented and it is already fully subscribed.

The 90 delegates who have signed up will have the opportunity to learn more about what stroke research has achieved so far and they will have the chance to influence the direction it takes in the future.

The Yorkshire Stroke Research Network is part of the National Institute for Health Research and is funded by the Department of Health.

It aims to improve the care of people with stroke and their carers, improve the co-ordination and speed of research, maintain and enhance the quality of research and to widen participation in research.

The network draws together people from across the region who have survived stroke and is putting Yorkshire at the forefront of research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of stroke.

Stroke is the third biggest cause of death in the UK and the largest single cause of severe disability.

The Government is aiming to reduce the death rate from stroke, chronic heart disease and related diseases in people under 75 by 40 per cent by 2010.

In Yorkshire, stroke research is led by Professor Forster and Dr John Bamford, consultant neurologist and cerebrovascular physician at Leeds General Infirmary and colleagues of the Yorkshire Stroke Research Network.

Professor Forster said: "I am really looking forward to the day. It is going to be a great opportunity to share ideas and plan the way forward."

Stroke survivor, Michael Speed said: "You never hear about what research into stroke is being undertaken. This event will go a long way to rectifying that."