Steve Georganas (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to strongly support this motion moved by the member for Calwell regarding this week being National Stroke Week. Despite significant progress in treatment strategies over the past two decades, stroke still remains the most common cause of disability worldwide and is responsible for the third-largest number of deaths. It is clear that, even though, as we have heard from the other speakers, great advancements and achievements have been made in the treatment of strokes and public awareness, there is still a lot to do. We still have a lot of work to do to ensure that we make people aware of what the signs are et cetera.

That is why it is so important this week to recognise and support the work that is being done by the national Stroke Foundation through initiatives such as National Stroke Week. While we do so, we must also acknowledge the many other bodies that aim to promote stroke awareness, as well as our fantastic doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and health workers. And, of course, we cannot forget the carers who so often do an amazing and difficult job looking after family members—partners, kids, parents et cetera. The Stroke Foundation work tirelessly in the areas of research, prevention and education. For example, they promote healthy lifestyle choices which will reduce the risk of stroke, encourage regular check-ups and assist people in raising awareness in their local communities. This is important because all the research tells us that many strokes can be prevented. The Stroke Foundation also focuses on helping all Australians understand the symptoms of stroke and to know what to do if one occurs.

The national Stroke Foundation runs a number of activities to promote such messages, including through this week the National Stroke Week. National Stroke Week takes place this week, starting on 12 September and running right through to 18 September. This is the week that we will be focused on raising the awareness of stroke. Anyone can get involved. Free resource packs are available to support workplaces, community groups, pharmacies and health professionals who are organising activities for National Stroke Week. This can perhaps include organising an awareness activity at your workplace, fundraising for the Stroke Foundation or hosting a health check. It is a fantastic way to engage in a fun way with your workplace, sporting and community friends and get a really good message out there about stroke prevention.

I cannot stress enough how vitally important getting this message out there is. As we heard earlier from the other speakers, taking immediate action when stroke is suspected is vital. A stroke is a brain attack and is always a medical emergency. Speedy action influences not only the treatment path for a person having a stroke but also their recovery. During a stroke, as we heard earlier, 1.9 million brain cells are lost per minute. This is why the Stroke Foundation organises a range of activities to get those messages out there and show people how important it is to act fast.' FAST' is the acronym that we heard earlier which teaches the most common signs of stroke—face weakness, arm weakness and speech difficulties—and prompts people to act fast. This is a handy and easy-to-use guide that can significantly raise awareness of stroke, stroke prevention and, ultimately, survival.

Other programs are Know your numbers and Australia's Biggest Blood Pressure Check. They aim to raise awareness of people checking their blood pressure and work in partnership with pharmacies to have community health check stations and information available. The Stroke Foundation also produces a range of education and information resources about stroke awareness and prevention that health professionals can provide to their patients or community, as well as dedicated seminars for health prevention.

Stroke remains the second biggest killer in Australia—after coronary heart disease—as well as being the leading cause of disability in Australia. We all have a responsibility to do something about this. In 2012, there were over 50,000 new and recurrent strokes. That is one every 10 minutes. In 2012, there were 420,000 people living with the effects of stroke, and 30 per cent of those people were of working age.

For all these reasons, I commend the Stroke Foundation for their great work and encourage as many people as possible to get involved in National Stroke Week.

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