HEALTH campaigners have demanded that stroke survivors be given timely speech assessments after research has shown that thousands miss out.

The Stroke Association said that about a third of stroke survivors will suffer aphasia, a language and communication disability that leaves people struggling to speak, read, write or understand language.

It has called for all stroke patients to get the recommended levels of speech and language therapy.

The charity says that just over a third of patients in England and Wales have been getting the recommended levels of support.

In response, the Welsh government said it funds multiprofessional rehabilitation support workers, and all health boards in Wales provide specialist speech and language therapy services.

England’s health department said it was committed to improving stroke prevention, treatment and recovery through its 10-year health plan.