World Stroke Day

Peter Dowd Excerpts

Tuesday 28th October 2025 Westminster Hall

[Chris Bloore (Redditch) (Lab)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I thank the hon. Member for Twickenham (Munira Wilson) for securing this important debate and for sharing her personal story and those of her constituents. That is exactly why this is such an important issue for us to speak about. Stroke can happen to anyone, at any time, in any family.

Stroke is the leading cause of complex adult disability in the UK, yet too often it remains underfunded, understaffed and under-prioritised. Recovery does not end when someone leaves hospital—for many, that is just the beginning. Relearning to walk, to speak, to eat or simply to live independently again takes extraordinary strength and proper support. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy can transform lives, but right now only 17% of community services have access to all three.

In Redditch, there are around 2,000 stroke survivors. I thank everyone who has contacted me, from Redditch to the Lenches, from Harvington to Wychbold, to share their stories and experiences. This issue cuts across every age, every background and every family. I have spoken to people in their 30s and 40s whose lives were turned upside down overnight. Stroke affects not only individuals, but their loved ones, their workplaces and their communities.

I thank the organisers of the Redditch stroke support group for everything they do to help local stroke survivors and their families.

[Peter Dowd (Bootle) (Lab)]

Does my hon. Friend agree that organisations such as the one he mentioned, the Stroke Association and others have a vital role to play in bringing these matters to the attention of this House for as long as it takes?

[Chris Bloore]

I wholeheartedly agree with my hon. Friend. The work of those organisations—the listening, guidance and encouragement—is often what helps people to take the first steps back towards confidence, independence and hope. They are a vital part of our community and I am deeply grateful for their dedication.

The Government’s 10-year health plan is an opportunity to do better: to shift our focus from hospital to community and from sickness to prevention. We know that nine in 10 strokes are linked to preventable risk factors such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Prevention saves lives, but it must be matched by proper rehabilitation and support for those already living with stroke, because one in four stroke survivors will have another stroke within five years.

As we mark this World Stroke Day, I pay tribute to the Stroke Association, to our incredible NHS staff and, above all, to all survivors and carers, who show every day what courage and recovery looks like. With the right help, life after stroke is not just possible; it can be full of purpose, love and dignity.