The CSP has renewed its call for investment in rehabilitation and the physiotherapy workforce after new figures revealed the scale of the shortfall in care for stroke survivors.
Figures from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) show that just 6.4 per cent of stroke survivors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland received the recommended three hours of rehabilitation a day, at least five days a week. This is down from 7.5 per cent in October to December 2024.
The Stroke Association, a Community Rehabilitation Alliance (CRA) partner, has raised concerns about the inadequate rehabilitation on people's recovery in the media.
This is an issue that the CSP has been highlighting on behalf of patients and our members. In October we welcomed the Stroke Association's policy report, which called for rehabilitation and long-term support for stroke survivors to be made a priority.
At that time, Sara Hazzard, assistant director at the CSP and co chair of the CRA, explained that 'early, personalised rehabilitation, combined with the right ongoing support, can make a profound difference to someone's recovery after stroke.'
In response to the latest figures, Sara Hazzard, adds:
The latest figures from SSNAP are sobering but not surprising. Stroke survivors need timely, personalised rehabilitation, both in hospitals and after discharge.
'Despite what we know about the benefits of rehabilitation and the national guidelines in place, access to rehab remains woefully inadequate, and urgent action is needed to improve both the availability and intensity of support.
'It is deeply concerning that fewer stroke survivors are receiving recommended levels of rehabilitation while trusts recruited 23 per cent fewer physiotherapists in 2025 than in 2023.'
Services need enough physiotherapists and rehabilitation staff to deliver the intensity of care recommended in national guidance. Your quality of life following a life-changing health event shouldn’t depend on your postcode.
Earlier this year, the CSP along with the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology warned that despite record numbers of registered physiotherapists, stroke services were unable to provide the care patients needed because they were chronically understaffed.
The 2025 stroke physiotherapy workforce survey, covering 159 NHS services, found:
26 per cent fewer physiotherapists than recommended in community stroke services.
15 per cent fewer physiotherapists than recommended in acute stroke teams.
36 per cent fewer rehabilitation support workers than recommended in community services.
The CSP warned that despite record numbers of registered physiotherapists, stroke services were unable to provide the care patients needed because they were chronically understaffed.
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