Minutes of the Cross Party Group on Stroke

Date: Wednesday 24 September
Sponsored by: Altaf Hussain MS
Location: Conference Rooms C & D, Ty Hywel.

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Attendees

• Altaf Hussain MS (Chair)
• Katie Chappelle, Director for Wales, Stroke Association
• Members of the Cross-Party Group on Stroke
• Stakeholders and invited guests in person and online

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Agenda & Minutes

12:00 – Welcome and Buffet Lunch

• Informal networking and refreshments.

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12:30 – Introduction (Altaf Hussain MS)

• Welcomed attendees and outlined the purpose of the meeting: to review progress on stroke awareness and discuss next steps for the Act FAST / Cam NESA campaign.

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12:35 – What We Are Asking For and Why (Katie Chappelle)

Presentation Highlights:

• Current Situation:

Ø Wales has not run a full Act FAST campaign since 2018.

Ø In 2023, a small digital campaign was delivered using underspend, but no structured national campaign.

Ø Ministerial commitment was made in 2023, but no delivery to date.

• Impact of Lack of Campaign:

Ø Around 50% of stroke patients in Wales self-present at hospital, compared to UK average of 25%.

Ø Delays in treatment: onset-to-arrival time in Wales is 6h 41m vs 4h 4m in England.

Ø Thrombectomy cases: 38 in Wales vs 1,154 in England (Jan - Mar 2025).

• Evidence from England:

Ø Regular campaigns improve awareness and outcomes.

Ø 91% of surveyed adults in England would call 999 if they saw stroke symptoms.

• Key Misconceptions Addressed:

Ø Spillover from England’s campaign is not enough. Wales needs its own bilingual, culturally tailored campaign.

• What We Are Asking For:

Ø Confirmed delivery timeline for a bilingual, biennial campaign.

Ø Funding commitment from Welsh Government.

Ø Clear ownership of campaign delivery.

Ø Coproduction with stroke survivors and stakeholders.

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12:55 – Questions and Discussion (Altaf Hussain MS)

• Members discussed:

Ø Barriers to public awareness in Wales (language, geography, cultural hesitancy).

Ø Importance of bilingual messaging and survivor-led content.

Ø Need for accountability and clear timelines from Welsh Government.

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13:15 – Next Steps and Recommendations (Altaf Hussain MS)

• Agreed actions:

Ø Prepare an updated case for the campaign.

Ø Engage with Welsh Government to secure:

- Funding and timeline.

- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care support.

Ø Continue cross-party collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

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13:25 – Close and Call to Action (Altaf Hussain MS)

• Reiterated urgency: public awareness is a weak link in stroke care.
• Called on all members to advocate for immediate action.

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Meeting Closed at 13:30

Link to video recording of meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_hjVS1NtY0