Stroke support service set to close as funding cut

The Devon Stroke Recovery Service will close at the end of the year

A stroke support service in Devon is set to close at the end of year after losing its funding.

The Devon Stroke Recovery Service offers help and guidance to people recovering from a stroke with funding provided by NHS Devon and Plymouth City Council.

However, the service run by the Stroke Association said it had lost its funding and would stop operating on 31 December, with its six co-ordinators losing their jobs.

The NHS said clinical stroke services in Devon would not be affected and a "wide variety" of support services would still be available. Plymouth City Council has been approached for comment

Peter Cole - who had a stroke in 2012 - said he could not believe the service was having its funding removed

Peter Cole, who volunteers with the Stroke Association after having a stroke in 2012, said the loss the service would have a massive impact on survivors and their families.

"I cannot believe they have lost this funding," Mr Cole said.

"These people are integral for the communities, not just here in Plymouth, but across Devon."

John Bailey, a stroke support co-ordinator for Plymouth and West Devon believed the service should be kept because of the valuable work it provided.

He said: "At the end of December, we're gone and I'm hoping they realise in the months after that the pressure that's going to be put on the NHS, they'll get us back in the next financial year."

'Wide variety of services'

The NHS said it had agreed a three-month extension with the Stroke Association to keep the service running until New Year's Eve to make sure users get the support they need.

It added the changes related to non-clinical recovery services and it would not impact clinical stroke services.

"There remain a wide variety of services in the county that will continue to support people with their post-stroke needs," an NHS spokesperson said.