World Stroke Day

Jas Athwal Excerpts

Tuesday 28th October 2025 Westminster Hall

[Jas Athwal (Ilford South) (Lab)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz. I, too, thank the hon. Member for Twickenham (Munira Wilson) for securing this important and timely debate and for sharing her personal stories.

We have heard the statistics: stroke is the UK’s fourth biggest killer and the single largest cause of complex disability. Stroke survivors’ lives are completely altered. Some are left paralysed, their fondest memories are lost and old personality traits and mannerisms are erased by new, unfamiliar ones. Loved ones experience the heartbreak of seeing someone they love become a shell of their former self.

The aftermath of a stroke often extends beyond the physical changes. Many survivors are left with the trauma and grief of being sick and of losing within a matter of minutes the ability to do some of the things they were once able to do, and overwhelmed by the fear they might experience stroke all over again.

However, there is a reason to be hopeful. How fast we act when someone experiences a stroke can have a profound impact on their journey to recovery. The minutes and hours after a stroke can be the difference between a good and a poor quality of life, and even between life and death. That is why I was very pleased that last November the NHS expanded its FAST stroke campaign, reminding us of the key signs of stroke: F for face, A for arm, S for speech and T for time to act. By recognising those warning signs, we can act and improve survivors’ futures. The NHS campaign demonstrates that stroke signs can be less pronounced, like someone being unable to finish reading a bedtime story to their grandchild or someone suddenly feeling that they are unable to smile.

I was particularly pleased to hear that the new campaign has been making its way to ethnic minority TV channels and on to social media to raise awareness. Researching for this debate, I came across an alarming study revealing that ethnic minority patients tend to have strokes about five years earlier and are at least twice as likely to face serious complications or death. The study highlighted the fact that that disparity co-exists with many chronic health conditions such as increased rates of diabetes, a condition that also increases the risk of stroke.

That is why this World Stroke Day we need to focus our efforts on prevention and awareness. We need to continue promoting a healthy lifestyle to all, and ensuring that those from ethnic minorities have the same awareness about stroke, so that they can benefit from better health outcomes. World Stroke Day provides us with the opportunity to pay tribute to carers at home and in the NHS, to raise awareness of the signs of stroke—remember the FAST acronym—and to acknowledge the bravery and perseverance of stroke survivors. I say to the Minister, “Please end the postcode lottery and improve the care in the community.” Stroke strikes indiscriminately, so the 10-year plan must address the inadequacies and differences across the country. I appeal to the Minister to reach out.