Local MSP, Jackie Baillie, attended Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s parliamentary reception where the charity highlighted their One in Five report. The report lays bare the reality of what life is like for people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions.

The charity warns that opportunities are being missed to help people rebuild their lives after the diagnosis of these long-term conditions.

Its survey of more than 1,160 people with the conditions found around one in five are not accessing a full range of support services because they do not know what is available to them. Two thirds wanted more access to services such as specialist nurses, therapists and social support groups.

The charity is calling on the Scottish Government to establish a universal and equal ‘Right to Rehab’ to help people live life to the full after diagnosis.

Baillie met with people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions at the event to hear about their experience and understand the importance that rehabilitation has to their quality of life.

Jackie said:

“The One in Five report reveals people are struggling with their mental health, don’t get consistent access to rehab programmes and even pay for services to help their recovery.

“People are receiving good care whilst in hospital but need more support when they return back into their communities. It’s vital that we work together with organisations like CHSS to ensure people can access the services that they need to increase their quality of life.

“I’m backing their campaign to establish a right to rehab for people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions.”

Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said,

“Too many people are struggling to cope with the impact of their conditions. This is unacceptable in modern Scotland.

“Opportunities are being missed to support people to live life to the full and current services need to rise to the challenge.  That’s why we are urging the Scottish Government to commit to and invest in establishing a universal ‘Right to Rehab’ so everyone affected by these conditions can rebuild their lives.

“By working together we can end the variation in access to NHS rehabilitation services across the country, joining them up with community groups, investing in the right staff, and making sure that everyone has access to a specialist nurse for as long as they need them.

“Action on this is a matter of life and health.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Join the campaign to establish a universal and equal Right to Rehab. Sign the petition www.chss.org.uk/righttorehab