Exmouth stroke survivors thank council

500 people suffered symptoms this year

An Exmouth stroke survivors’ club has thanked its local councillors for their support.

East Devon District Council’s LED (Leisure East Devon) monitoring forum  heard from the club’s chair, Steve Beer on Tuesday [11 April]. He told them of the troubles people face after being discharged from hospital, with some stroke survivors waiting the best part of two years to be seen by a specialist.

He called on the council to do as much as it can to help those recovering from strokes, saying 500 people in Exmouth have left hospital having suffered stroke symptoms this year.

The club’s near 50 members are not fighting their battle alone. The district council’s leisure partner, LED, has offered the club a slot at Exmouth swimming pool. It has also helped provide equipment such as steppers to survivors.

Mr Beer urged more council members to attend the club’s meetings and thanked them for their support.

Independent Cllr Nick Hookway joined Mr Beer in encouraging more backing for the club. “I think we ought to try to do as much as we can; I do support that call,” he added. “We are doing something at a perhaps small level. Anything we can do and anything LED can do more to help these people should be encouraged.”