Stroke survivors in Devon and Cornwall face uncertainty over their aftercare services due to a lack of sustainable funding, raising serious concerns about the future of support in the region. The Stroke Association (SA), which runs Life After Stroke Services locally, warns that without long-term financial backing, many survivors could struggle to access vital rehabilitation and support.
Unlike other areas of the UK where the NHS contributes funding, the SA relies on private donations and its own charitable reserves in Devon and Cornwall. Jacqui Cuthbert, the association’s associate director for the South West and Channel Islands, said services had been maintained over the past year using charity funds, but the future “hangs in the balance”. She added, “It’s a real worry for us. For Devon and Cornwall, we do have concerns over what the future holds for life-after-stroke services.”
For individuals like Bob Perrin, 71, from Torquay, the impact is deeply personal. Having suffered three strokes, he described the SA’s support as “a great help”. His wife Lesley Perrin added, “It is literally a life-saver to have that support… I cannot believe there isn’t NHS funding for this.” Bob also stressed that losing such assistance would be “absolutely devastating” for stroke survivors across the South West.
The scale of the issue is considerable. In Cornwall, more than 1,000 people experience a stroke each year, with around 14,000 living with ongoing after-effects. In Devon, those figures rise to over 2,500 new strokes annually and approximately 32,000 living with stroke-related disabilities, making it one of the highest prevalence areas in the UK.
Until December 2024, the Devon Stroke Recovery Service received NHS funding to provide rehabilitation and family support. In Cornwall, stroke aftercare has been funded by a private donor, but this financial stream is expected to run out in March 2026. Without a sustainable funding model, the ability of the SA to maintain essential services remains uncertain.
The NHS has highlighted the difference in priorities. NHS Devon emphasised that its focus is on clinical care, ensuring resources are directed toward services enabling faster diagnosis and treatment. NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board noted that it funds a community neuro-rehabilitation group to help people manage their condition independently and reduce their reliance on wider health services.
The Department of Health and Social Care has acknowledged the gap in post-stroke support, calling it “unacceptable that so many stroke survivors are not receiving the support they need with their recovery.” The department reaffirmed its commitment to improving stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery, including setting national standards for cardiovascular care and shifting healthcare focus into the community through the 10 Year Health Plan.
For stroke survivors across Devon and Cornwall, the coming years could prove critical. Without new funding solutions, many may lose access to services that not only help with physical recovery but also provide essential emotional and practical support. As patients and charities call for greater investment, the urgency to secure sustainable aftercare has never been clearer.
