[ad_1]
The Stroke Foundation of New Zealand and Stroke Central
New Zealand are pleased to announce their intention to
amalgamate on 1 July to ensure that a unified national
organisation will achieve their shared goals of reducing
strokes, improving outcomes and saving lives.
The
Stroke Central team will continue to work in the central
region to help clients and their whānau live their best
possible lives before and after stroke.
John Gommans,
Chair of the Stroke Foundation, says: “At a time when our
national health services are focussed on delivering
consistent quality care across all of Aotearoa New Zealand,
we are committed to supporting stroke survivors and their
whānau across the lower North Island.
“With one
stroke taking place every 55 minutes, there are currently
64,000 people living with the after effects of their stroke,
and a further 300,000 indirectly impacted. Research
conducted in 2015 predicted that by 2028, this figure would
rise by 40 per cent, and we are on target to exceed
this.
This is why we are amalgamating with Stroke
Central to create one nationally consistent, evidence-based
and high quality community stroke service for Aotearoa. We
are stronger together, in our fight against
stroke.”
Robin Boldarin, President of Stroke
Central, says: “We welcome the opportunity to join forces
with the Stroke Foundation of New Zealand in the battle
against stroke.
This change will come with many
benefits for our clients, while allowing us to maintain our
local workforce, services and community groups. We will
continue to provide the same high standard of service,
alongside new health promotion and stroke prevention
services”.
Meeting the needs of the stroke-affected
community of Aotearoa
The Stroke Foundation is New
Zealand’s national stroke prevention and recovery charity.
For more than 40 years, we have worked to prevent stroke and
help survivors access the support they need to live their
best possible life after their stroke.
Our services
include:
- Community Stroke Advisors who support
stroke survivors and their whānau in communities across the
country. - Return-to-Work Advisors who help clients
return to work after their stroke, working with employers
and individuals to develop a practical plan. - Health
promotion initiatives including campaigns, key messages to
help people spot the warning signs of stroke, and specific
trade-based initiatives targeted at high-risk
groups. - Stroke prevention and ‘life after
stroke’ resources, including information to help young
people, whānau, and carers navigate the challenges of
looking after a loved one after a stroke
hits.
The generosity of our donors makes it
possible for us to help thousands of stroke survivors every
year. Our teams work in the community to ensure the best
possible outcomes for stroke survivors, their whānau and
carers.
Given the resources, support, and expertise
the Stroke Foundation can offer, we believe this change will
boost stroke prevention and health promotion services across
the central region.
The boards of both charities have
signed a Heads of Agreement, with the merger planned to take
effect from 1 July, 2023.
Stroke Central
and Stroke Foundation Questions and Answers
What is
happening?
The members of Stroke Central New Zealand
have voted to amalgamate with the Stroke Foundation of New
Zealand to further their collective mission to prevent
stroke, improve outcomes, and save lives.
The Stroke
Foundation’s services ensure the best possible outcomes
for thousands of clients every year. It provides life-saving
health promotion and stroke prevention information to lower
the risk of stroke in communities across
Aotearoa.
Given the resources, support, and expertise
the Stroke Foundation can offer, Stroke Central will benefit
from additional
stroke prevention and health promotion services across
the region.
We welcome the opportunity to invest in
the community and continue Stroke Central’s important
legacy of supporting stroke survivors and their
whānau.
Why are you making this
change?
Stroke is New Zealand’s leading cause of
adult disability. With one stroke occurring every 55
minutes, there are currently 64,000 people living with the
after effects of their stroke, and a further 300,000
indirectly impacted. Research conducted in 2015 predicted
that by 2028, this figure would rise by 40 per cent, and we
are on target to exceed this.
Māori and Pasifika are
disproportionately affected by stroke due to the social
determinants of health, health inequity and system access
– particularly in rural areas that are covered by the
central region. On average, strokes occur 10 – 15 years
earlier among Māori and Pasifika people, with poorer
outcomes and a higher risk of having a secondary
stroke.
We are coming together to address these
disparities and slow the tide of the oncoming stroke
tsunami.
By joining forces Stroke Central and the
Stroke Foundation are creating one nationally consistent
community stroke prevention and life after stroke support
service for Aotearoa.
How will this affect
communities in the region?
We will continue to
provide the same high standard of service to clients across
the central region, alongside new health promotion and
stroke prevention services, including free blood pressure
checks, educational resources, and online and in-person
support for stroke survivors and their whānau.
Will
you make any changes to staffing?
No. All team
members will remain on staff. The Paraparaumu office will be
closing due to the landlord not renewing the lease, but this
will not impact services – the team will be supported
through the national office, based in Wellington.
How
will this impact Stroke Central’s clients?
There
will be a seamless transition of services, and clients
should notice few changes. Over time, we will work together
to enhance services in line with national improvement
programmes, helping clients access nationally and
internationally best evidence-based services and
resources.
Resources unique to the Stroke Foundation
including information for young people, whānau, and carers
will be made available to clients immediately.
Will I
notice any changes?
Over the next year, we will
migrate Stroke Central’s online resources to the Stroke
Foundation website to create a one-stop-shop for all matters
related to stroke prevention and recovery www.stroke.org.nz
© Scoop Media
[ad_2]
Source link