Residents of Wide Bay, including Noosa, have been urged to dig deep to ensure the Stroke Foundation’s national phone line support service, Strokeline, continues to operate.
StrokeLine is a free phone and online support service staffed by a team of expert nursing and allied health professionals, providing information and advice to Australian survivors of stroke, their families and caregivers impacted by stroke.
It relies on donations to stay open and now requires additional funding to keep up with the growing demand.
So far this year, StrokeLine has supported 2,200 survivors and their families.
In the Wide Bay electorate which includes Noosa, health statistics reveal a diabetes prevalence of nine per cent among the population, with 47 per cent of cases in males and 53 per cent in females. High blood pressure affects 21 per cent of residents, while high cholesterol rates are at 15 per cent.
Interim Executive Director of Stroke Programs, Research and Innovation, Kelvin Hill said: “People turn to StrokeLine for support and guidance at a really difficult time of their lives. It is a vital service that helps survivors, families and carers navigate complex issues at a time of great need and the community cannot afford to have their urgent calls go unanswered.”
“StrokeLine was initially designed to be a brief intervention service, but due to challenges in the health and disability systems, we are stepping in to provide more complex advice and support to survivors, carers and families, particularly after they first leave hospital. It is clear StrokeLine service is needed to step in to fill these critical gaps.”
To donate, call 1300 194 196 or call StrokeLine: 1800 STROKE (1800 787 653)
