Aussies lack stroke care facilities

Sydney -- A new study shows most hospitals in Australia are not equipped to deal with stroke patients.

The National Stroke Foundation says its research has found less than 25 percent of hospitals have a stroke unit -- despite the fact it is the second-biggest cause of death in Australia.

The foundation's chief executive, Dr. Erin Lalor, says a key problem is a significant lack of funding throughout Australia to treat stroke patients.

"The fact that hospitals don't have stroke units everywhere means that people are more likely to die or be disabled if they receive care at those hospitals," he said.

"We are not suggesting stroke units need to go into every hospital ... but certainly into hospitals that admit large numbers of stroke patients, which we identify as more than 200 patients a year."

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