World Stroke Day

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Tuesday 28th October 2025 Westminster Hall

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz.

I thank the hon. Member for Twickenham (Munira Wilson), both for setting the scene and for sharing the story of her mum, because such stories always give a very honest and true perspective. My own mother is now 94. When she was 93, she had a number of transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs. I remember being in the ambulance with her and in the hospital as she waited to be admitted. Ultimately, unfortunately, it led to physical disabilities. Although she is compos mentis and really sharp in her mind, even at 94, physically she will never be able to do the things that she once did—so I understand, and I thank the hon. Lady for sharing her story.

World Stroke Day is a day that sticks out for so many people—we would struggle to find someone who does not know an individual affected by the impact of stroke. Of course there is more to be done, and I am very pleased to be here today to discuss that.

I welcome the Minister to his place; I understand that this might be the first Westminster Hall debate as a Minister. Last night, he was in an Adjournment debate in the main Chamber; today, he is in Westminster Hall, so he is seeing great things on the tour of Westminster, and I wish him well in all that he does.

Statistics from the Stroke Association highlight that every day in the UK another 240 people suffer the catastrophic impact of a stroke. Two thirds of people who survive a stroke find themselves living with a disability and six in 10 survivors rely on the help of a carer, often a family member or friend.

This year, World Stroke Day aims to focus on the truth surrounding post-stroke recovery. Whether it is a short-term or long-term process of physical, behavioural or emotional rehabilitation, it begins in hospital, but can be lifelong, requiring support for months or even years in the community through carers and family.

[Alex Easton (North Down) (Ind)]

Unfortunately, Northern Ireland, where the hon. Member and I live, has the second highest rate of stroke across the UK, with something like 4,700 strokes each year. Does he agree that we need to share best practice and research, which is emerging from certain parts of the UK, right across the board?

[Jim Shannon]

I thank the hon. Member for his intervention, and he is right.

Whether it is our lifestyle, what we eat, the way we live, or whatever it may be, it is really important that we address these things. Recovery can take years and some people find it completely life-altering. Over the past 10 years, there has been a 23% increase in the number of people who are registered with their GP for chest, heart and stroke conditions. The figures are serious. It is crucial that support is available to those who require it. Those organisations, which offer fantastic support to families, ultimately take on a large amount of caring responsibility—and therapy, whether it is physical, occupational or speech therapy, should be accessible and helpful to all.

In conclusion, I remind hon. Members of the importance of the FAST strategy—face, arms speech and time—which is imperative in noticing the signs of stroke. This World Stroke Day, let us focus on recovery care and giving people the support they need to rehabilitate, get back on track and learn to cope with their new normal. I urge the Minister to work with the regional Administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; these are things that we can do better together.