POWYS is to get an essential service for stroke survivors following a campaign by Mid and West Wales AM Joyce Watson.
Last year, local Labour AM, Joyce Watson, started a campaign to end the "postcode lottery" of support services in her constituency. The Stroke Association provides two core support services that are recommended by the National Service Framework for Older People, and by the Royal College of Physicians' National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke.
These services are Communication Support, which is designed to help people with a communication disability regain or replace those skills lost as the result of suffering a stroke, and the Family and Carer Support Service that provides information, practical help and emotional support.
These services are funded under contractual arrangements with health or social services and complement existing NHS services including speech and language therapy.
Joyce took up the campaign after discovering that these services were only available in some parts of Mid and West Wales - Powys does not have either service whereas other areas of her constituency like Carmartheshire has both services.
However, according to the Stroke Association, Powys will have the Family and Care Support Service from later this year.
Joyce, who has visited stroke survivors who access Carmarthenshire Communication Support, said: " I have seen the difference the service made to them. These are people who have lost some or all of their speech and need help and interaction with others. I am delighted that Powys will now get the Family Support Service but I will carry on urging Powys Local Health Board to commission the communication group.
"I am determined to end this postcode lottery situation in my constituency."
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