Australia's health system needs a $40 million funding injection to deal with the country's massive stroke burden, say experts.
They cite a new National Stroke Foundation report which says the quality of acute stroke care has stagnated, costing lives and leaving thousands of Australians with unnecessary disability.
The Audit showed that around 20,000 stroke patients a year didn't have access to the full benefits of stroke unit care, says foundation chief executive officer Dr Erin Lalor.
And just seven per cent of all ischemic stroke patients were receiving life-saving clot busting treatment thrombolysis, resulting in death and unnecessary disability requiring a lifetime of care.
"If we reached the level of full stroke unit access that is being achieved in the United Kingdom (83 per cent) outcomes would be improved for 13,000 patients," he said.
One in six Australians will suffer a stroke in their lifetime.
The foundation is calling for an initial government investment of $40 million to urgently address the gaps in stroke treatment and care identified by the audit.
"This audit clearly demonstrates our current health system is not equipped to deal with Australia's massive stroke burden," Dr Lalor said.
"With an ageing population and subsequent projected increase in stroke we're calling on the federal government to take action now before more lives are lost to this brutal disease."
