⚠️ Stroke care in Wales is "lagging behind the rest of the UK," warns Dr. Altaf Hussain, a surgeon and Senedd member. 🧠
Wales ranks a shocking 21st out of 26 high-income countries for stroke outcomes, well behind England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (13th).
A key reason? The Welsh Government has failed to run a national Act FAST awareness campaign in recent years. This delay is leaving survivors like Fran with lifelong disabilities that could have been prevented with earlier treatment.
While Wales' Health Secretary Jeremy Miles defends the nation's use of AI and centralised stroke centers, the data on recovery rates and ambulance times (over 6 hours on average!) is worrying. ⏰
Dr. Hussain warns stroke costs Wales over £220m a year and this will rise if nothing is done. More must be done to educate the public on the vital FAST signs to ensure every patient gets the best possible chance at recovery.
ARNI Stroke Rehab UK knows that its readers will agree... and is mindful of top ARNI commenter Bee's additions to FAST....
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#ARNIStrokeRehab #StrokeAwareness #WalesPolitics #ActFAST #HealthcareCrisis #TimeIsBrain 🚨
It’s rubbish care everywhere. I was repeatedly told I had a daily headache for 4 months. I actually had an aneurysm that was leaking until it bleed and clotted causing a stroke. The first hospital told me I had a brain tumor before flying me to a bigger hospital, but it was too late to treat by then. I was 26 and was left with half my brain damaged. That happened 16 years ago, but I had hoped things had changed since then
Crap stroke care everywhere in uk I had a dr tell me you’ve had a bleed on the brain hahaha I’m going on break now and left me sat there to continue my 12 hour wait I had to listen to nurses shouting why is she still here should be on a ward and no the ward doesn’t want her as not stable I felt like biggest inconvenience was all my fault and wanted to walk out I know the nhs is under stress but they make it very clear we don’t care anymore haven’t got the time anything you need do it yourself
how on earth can it be worse than Scotland?
Stroke care I lacking full stop in the u.k didn't trust the Dr's I felt their guessing regards my recovery and didn't know what neuro plasticity is
Stroke care is hit and miss nationwide. There are too many cases of Dr's miss-diagnosing stroke and not treating it urgently, as the medical emergency it is! It's a national scandal. The campaign needs to focus on 'BE' - fast - and Dr's should take note!
This is truly life-changing news for the Lancashire and South Cumbria region 🎉 The Royal Preston Hospital is set to offer thrombectomy treatment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from February 1st, 2026, at the latest. 🥳 This expansion is a huge step forward in stroke care and could make a massive difference in patient outcomes.
Until now, this critical treatment was only available during limited hours at Royal Preston, meaning a postcode lottery determined access to the best care. 🧠
But when implemented, no matter what time of day or night a major stroke strikes, patients will have access to the best possible treatment. ❤️🩹 Let's celebrate this fantastic news and continue to raise awareness for stroke symptoms. 💪
www.arni.uk#ARNIstrokerehabR#strokeawarenesse#thrombectomyc#royalprestonhospitalp#NHS #lancashires#southcumbriam#strokesurvivorv#GoodNewsdNews
Ireland has as made strides in this area btw, with Cork University Hospital switching to a 24/7 service in 2021 and Beaumont Hospital also providing round-the-clock care through the National Thrombectomy Service - Tom ;)
I had the thrombectomy at Preston last year It makes such a big difference saved me from a life of disability Thank you to all the team I was lucky
I had that treatment in Hull nearly 3 years ago.it was like a miracle.
Yup too late for me 2years late!
I was wheeled in at 3am from Chorley . Urgent care really good
I am really trying to get private SALT Stafford area, face to face appears to be impossible .
The stroke team at Preston are amazing
My husband had his stroke early Saturday morning. No one available to give him this treatment near Bristol/Yeovil. Sadly it has left him impaired. He was only 48.
I honestly did not realise that such urgent treatment was fitted within working hours. I thought it was more the other way round where critical emergency specialists and resources are available to cover all hours. More fool me, I suppose
Let’s make it available nationally
Now you’ll just have to hope an ambulance gets to you fast enough and they aren’t queuing at RPH wasting valuable time!!
About time and this should be available countrywide
Fantastic news Jo Leicester Mollie Leicester xx
So sorry to hear this.My Husbands was 9 years ago,he was 54.
My husband had his stroke 2 years ago , no one cared no ambulance and hospital didn’t rush to help him, he is disabled now for life 😢😢😢
Please help me please
A testimonial on why The Successful Stroke Survivor book is the right book......Following my traumatic brain injury, I was determined and relentless to get back on the road to recovery. For guidance on the road to functional recovery and alongside my physiotherapist, this was the book for me. Tom Balchin details the latest evidence based techniques and ARNI approaches to help recovery. I found particularly useful the ways to help reduce spasticity and decline in upper limb as well as how to regain hand and finger function as well as strengthening exercises for lower limb function. Through such detailed and informative advice, married with clear illustrations you are taken through detailed text involving key concepts such as brain plasticity followed by the steps to retrain your affected limbs for the purposes of functionality. For example, to get up from the floor. If you stick with Tom's methods and practice practice practice, you are sure to see results! I even followed this with a session with Tom himself!
Absolutely gre#neuroplasticityi#ARNIstrokerehabr#strokerehabr#strokerehabilitationa#strokesurvivorscanr#neurorehabr#strokerecoveryo#strokeexercisercise
Successful Stroke Survivor Manual – Stroke Solutions
www.strokesolutions.co.uk
This book/manual was written by a stroke survivor for stroke survivors. Part-book and part-manual for those who have suffered a stroke and reached the end of formal stroke rehabilitation therapy. The ...Hear hear 😀
Introducing the Syrebo glove! 🦾 This amazing robotic glove helps stroke survivors regain hand function through passive and active exercises. 🙏 With its soft, flexible design and advanced sensor technology, it can assist with grasping and releasing objects.
The C10, C11, and C12 models can be found on Amazon.co.uk and that prices vary depending on the seller and the specific model. Amazon search results show stock availability for various sizes and models, but some listings, especially for older or used models, may be limited.
Or Rebotics.co.uk – a UK-based medical equipment supplier that offers a range of Syrebo gloves, including the C12 and the updated C15 models. They specify that their models are available in both home and clinical versions.
Prices for the Syrebo glove vary widely based on the model and the seller. The following are typical price ranges for new units found online:
C10 Model: Generally priced around £140–£230. Listings on Amazon.co.uk and other sites show prices in this range, though used or specific configurations may be cheaper.
C11 Model: Priced around £385 on Amazon.co.uk for a new unit.
C12 Model: This advanced model costs around £450–£500 from online retailers like Amazon and Syrebo Care. It features more training modes and stronger driving power than the C10.
C15 Model: The newest version, which includes app connectivity and enhanced gamification, is available from specialist suppliers like Rebotics.co.uk. The price for this model is generally higher, though specific figures were not returned in the search results.
The Syrebo glove is said by many who have used both to be quite as good as Saeboglove, helping users train their paretic hand 💪
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#ARNIstrokerehab #Syrebo #strokerecovery #handrehab #roboticglove #neuroplasticity
I got a client one off Temu for £30 works really well
I tried a Chinese one but I didn't feel it did anything.... There was no neural connection to it opening and closing my hand..... Is this still he same or do you have to activate it and it gives some robotic support but doesn't do it for you?
Does our affected fingers easily be put inside the covered glove? Doesn't it will like so-called 'fall out' of the gloves?? Been wondering about it...
My lovely SIL bought me an orange and black robotic glove from Amazon soon after my stroke. She had returned the first one after trying it out herself. It didn’t work and she reordered one for me. She had mentioned some reviews saying similar - that they don’t operate at least how the ad claims. Also from one of my own rabbit hole research expedition. I would not recommend to buy anything from Syrebo directly (from China) because they will only only refund you 60% of what you paid for the item which is not made clear on their website’s refund policy. I have no experience of purchasing anything from robotics.co.uk. Thanks to this post for rekindling my interest in some of their products. I will look into it again. I think the robotic glove helped me maintain circulation in my affected hand and it was good to see it move. I think it wasn’t quite at the right stage for me. Earlier, I should have done more reps etc. along side it. Then, my hand had developed higher tone to it so I took a step back and started using the saebo stretch again and doing hand and arm stretching exercise. I think I will start using it again soon as my hand is looser and much less resistant to its motion and I feel it would help with the approaching colder weather
I’ve got one couldn’t keep my fingers in it so pointless if you ask me
Kinda want one... any links for a deal ?
Temu I got mine from there they lot cheaper now
Did you know that if you floss, you're reducing your risk of stroke? Recent research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2025 has highlighted this significant link, from a study, which followed thousands of participants for 25 years 🤯🧠
The study found that those who flossed at least once a week saw a lower risk of strokes caused by blood clots and irregular heartbeats, like atrial fibrillation. ❤️🩸 This benefit was independent of other dental habits, suggesting flossing itself helps lower the inflammation that can contribute to cardiovascular problems.
So, don't skip your floss; it's a simple, affordable habit that could have a huge impact on your heart and brain health #ARNIstrokerehabc#StrokePreventiona#hearthealthv#flossinge#dentalcareF#wellnessD#healthyhabitslness #HealthyHabits
Hmmmmm I was a flosser 🧐 I'm trying to get back to it 2 handed but in the meantime I used the plastic ones with floss tape - better than nothing,!
Approximately 40% of stroke survivors experience this difficulty: to comprehend or produce spoken or written language caused by a cerebrovascular accident. In half of these cases the language impairment still persists one year post-stroke. Aphasia has wide-ranging effects on the ability to function and quality of life of stroke survivors and easily leads to social isolation.
If you need help, ARNI SLT Telerehab can now help YOU, right now, wherever you are in the world!
The latest evidence shows clearly that you can conquer aphasia very successfully with the help of speech and language therapy.
And it also shows that SLT Telerehab is just as effective as in-person, face to face treatment.
We have a team of highly experienced low-cost specialist SLTs (all post-grads from Universities such as UCL, the University of Cape Town etc) who are available to help you right now, in your home, via Zoom. You get a one to one hourly service, based around your diary needs, from the comfort of your own home, with a highly experienced specialist speech and language therapist. Please enquire to arni.uk.com/get-remote-speech-language-help-now/ !
#aphasia #strokesurvivors #strokerecovery #strokerehabilitation #strokerehab #AphasiaAwareness #neurorehabilitation #arni #exerciseafterstroke #strokeexercise #strokerecoveryexercises #neuroplasticity #ARNIstrokerehab
www.arni.uk.com
Yes 9 year apshaia
I had aphasia stroke with help my peach came back confusin is the part that’s so hard to live with reading righting I can’t count money the least wee task has me in a state of
If stroke survivors fail to move their muscles (either through active exercise or passive range of motion), they may develop a condition called learned non-use. This condition causes your brain to have even more difficulty paying attention to the affected muscles, therefore making it harder to rehabilitate these muscles and over-relying on your non-affected side. This is where the phrase “use it or lose it!” comes from.
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#useitorloseit #neuroplasticity #ARNIstrokerehab #strokerehab #strokerehabilitation #strokesurvivorscan #neurorehab #strokerecovery #strokeexercise
I sit on my chair and try to dorsiflex my ankle keeping the foot straight and not turning up.....tried the alphabet today Tom...... Aaaaaaaaaaaagh - my lower calf felt a bit tickly afterwards!!!! But....I can now do bridging on the floor and my affected arm will stay in the floor rather than reflexively coming into my body! 😲
Here are 6 of my best and creative tips, from one stroke survivor to another, that you can use to try to train to cope with drop foot:
1. Alphabet writing with your toes 📝
For a creative and focused exercise, try "writing" the alphabet in the air with your affected foot. It's a fun way to practice and strengthen the muscles that lift your toes and control your ankle.
2. Resistance band "foot power-ups" 💪
Level up your foot exercises with a resistance band! While seated, loop the band around your foot and push and pull against it. Think of it as giving your foot a powerful workout to improve strength and range of motlion.
3. The Lazy Susan ankle rotator 🔄
Use a Lazy Susan (or any similar rotating tray) to gently practice ankle rotation. Place your foot on it and use your hand to help guide a smooth, circular motion. This can help with strengthening and flexibility.
4. Footwear with smarts 👟
Shoes can make a huge difference! Creative solutions include adaptive shoes like Cadense, which have special friction technology to make walking easier. For a lower-cost option, ensure your shoes have firm support, non-slip soles, and fit well to accommodate any braces.
5. Add a beat to your steps 🎶
Walking to a rhythm can improve coordination and motivation! Play your favorite music and practice tapping your foot to the beat. This helps retrain coordinated movements and can make exercise more enjoyable.
6. Make your own 'balance garden' 🧘
Create a fun and safe space at home to practice balance. Use different textures on the floor, such as mats, thick towels, or foam pads, and practice standing and shifting your weight. With support nearby, this creative practice can help you feel more stable.
Stay positive and keep moving forward! You're an inspiration❤️
www.arni.uk.com
#ARNIStrokeRecovery #FootDrop #StrokeSurvivor #PhysicalTherapy #AdaptiveLiving #Motivation #EmbraceTheJourney
I might just treat myself to a pair of those! In my pre stroke life I was an avid runner and those look very similar to my Hoka trainers, unfortunately I can’t wear them now because the foam soles aren’t stable enough for me but these look brill 😊
Sam L Charlton
Thank you for all your posts, all of which are helpful and reinforce positive moves in recovery. I spent some more time watching Training with Tom prompted by an earlier post today. I have actually got a lazy Susan turning thing (from IKEA), purchased shortly before my stroke last year - (I’d bought that to showcase some Lego stuff on and spin it round nearer to me as I worked from my home office. All my lovely toys and projects and handbag collection from my home office was put into storage by my family when I was away in rehab after the stroke. I’m going to have a fresh set up soon with a lot of focus on home rehab thanks to various posts from ARNI Stroke Rehab & Recovery and things I have been cobbling together as I continue to cobble myself together 😊😀😁 thanks for reading my carry on
Exercise: Hip push-pulls
This movement is fantastic. It is a static, gross motor movement exercise which can be turned into a warm-up exercise. It resembles a deadlift movement with no weight.
Find out more about this exercise in The Successful Stroke Survivor book by Tom. Balchin
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#neuroplasticity #strokerehabilitation #neurorehab #strokeexercise #strokerehab #strokesurvivorscan #strokerecovery #ARNIstrokerehab
A bit of a stroke rehab tech history for you today!👨🔬🧠 Many years ago, researchers at Rice University developed a pioneering device known as the 'Rice Wrist': a prototype exoskeleton for the wrist and forearm 🦾 While you won't see this exact model on the market today, its legacy is a HUGE part of the incredible upper limb robotic exoskeletons that are now helping stroke survivors in clinics all over the world.
The Rice Wrist was a crucial stepping stone, allowing scientists to explore how haptic feedback and intensive, repetitive therapy could help rebuild motor function after a stroke. 📈 By carefully studying how the device interacted with patients and their progress, the research team gathered vital insights that paved the way for more refined and user-friendly technology. Think of it as a historical artifact of rehabilitation science! 🏛️
So, what happened to it? 🤔 It fulfilled its purpose as a research prototype and is not, and never was, a product for sale. The findings and patents from that project have been instrumental in informing the design of modern-day robots that are helping people regain movement today. It’s a perfect example of how academic research drives innovation in real-world clinical applications ❤️ It's proof that what starts as an idea on campus can eventually lead to a better quality of life for thousands. 🚀
www.arni.uk.com
#ARNIStrokeRehab #Rehabilitation #Robotics #GeorgiaTech #Research #Innovation #Neuroplasticity #UpperLimbRehab
