A Caerphilly-based Stroke Association head has welcomed health board funding of its stroke recovery service following a council decision to cut funding.
The Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet at its meeting on February 14 unanimously supported a report which recommends decommissioning the £18,000 a year service in 2018/19.
This follows a consultation period where a number of residents voiced their opposition to the cut.
There are more than 3,500 stroke survivors in Caerphilly,many of whom deal with the challenges of various long-term disabilities.
Interim-director of the Stroke Association in Wales Ross Evans reacted to the health board decision to fund the £18,000 service to residents.
“The number of people who took part in our campaign against the cuts showed the value of this vital service to survivors and their families.
“Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability and the help we offer is key to stopping people’s needs from getting worse and creating more demands on public services,” Mr Evans said.
But as Caerphilly Observer reported last month,Aneran Bevan University Health Board is to take over the funding of this service for 2018/19.
The Stroke Association confirmed that it had met with the health board to discuss the proposed cuts to the funding from the council and what impact that could have on the service being offered to residents.
“It’s great news that the health board have committed to fund our service across Gwent for the next year. This means that over the next 12 months,we can still be there for stroke survivors in Caerphilly who so badly need our help.
“Our thanks go to everyone who supported our campaign. We also welcome the cabinet’s commitment to meet with the health board to discuss the long-term sustainability of services like ours,” Mr Evans added.
“The health board can confirm that it will fully fund the stroke recovery service provided by the Stroke Association in line with the current agreement until March 2019,” a spokesperson said.
“We value the important support that this service brings for people recovering from a stroke.”
A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut-off.