Stroke survivors can face many challenges as they recover. Now, a new federal survey is showing that one out of every 12 stroke survivors has contemplated suicide or thought that he or she would be better off dead. That's more common than what's seen in people with other health problems such as heart attacks or cancer, and it suggests that depression after stroke is more serious than many had realized. 12 Photos "It was surprising" and shows a need for more treatment, said the study's leader, Dr. Amytis Towfighi of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. "When patients have their depression treated they're more motivated to take their medication, do therapy and live a full life." The study was discussed Thursday at an American Stroke Association conference in Honolulu. More than 6 million Americans have had a stroke; about 800,000 occur each year in the U.S. Studies suggest that up to a third of stroke survivors develop depression, but few have looked at suicidal thoughts - one sign of how serious it is. Stroke kills about 130,000 Americans each year - about one of every 18 U.S. deaths -- according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "It's … Continue reading →

The Royal Berkshire Hospital stroke team celebrated twice this week they were made a Centre of Excellence for their stroke treatment and received a donation of thousands from Sonning Golf Club. The news comes a year after the hospital became a 24/7 regional centre for stroke treatment and is providing the second fastest care in the country. The best chance of recovery from a stroke is dependant on getting vital thrombolytic treatment as fast as possible. The combined hard work of the Stroke Team, members of the Emergency Department and the radiographers operating CT scanners has earned the hospital its honour of Centre of Excellence. Stroke development sister Liz Barber said: We are all really very proud this is a close team and everyone involved works hard. Consultant Dr Andrew van Wyk stressed the importance of teamwork, including the ambulance service paramedics and often the family of the person suffering a stroke. He said: In a very short space of time we have to gather as much information as possible at a time when often the patient cannot speak. We need to rule out any other reasons for their condition so it can be key for us to speak with … Continue reading →

8 February 2013 Last updated at 12:27 ET A severely disabled prisoner who requires round-the-clock treatment does not have to go back to jail, the Court of Appeal has ruled. Daniel Roque Hall, 30, was given a three-year sentence in July after admitting trying to smuggle cocaine worth more than 300,000 in his wheelchair from Peru through Heathrow. He was sent to Wormwood Scrubs, but suffered heart failure within weeks. Hall, from north-west London, has spent most of his sentence in hospital. He has Friedreich's ataxia, which causes loss of physical co-ordination, and is not expected to live into his 40s. Allowing his appeal against sentence, Lord Justice Hughes, Mr Justice Wyn Williams and Mr Justice Hickinbottom substituted his sentence for the lesser term of 18 months, which means he can return home this week. He was taken to University College Hospital last August and has been kept in hospital under prison guard since then. He has impaired speech, diabetes and a weakened heart, and was being cared for round-the-clock before he was sent to prison. Lord Justice Hughes said there was no lack of punishment in what Hall had undergone since being sentenced, and his case was "an appropriate … Continue reading →

A severely disabled prisoner who requires round-the-clock treatment does not have to go back to jail, the Court of Appeal has ruled. Daniel Roque Hall, 30, is serving a three-year sentence after admitting smuggling 2.8kg of cocaine in his wheelchair back from a holiday in Peru. He suffers from the rare degenerative condition Friedreich's ataxia and is not expected to live into his 40s. He has spent most of his sentence in hospital. Allowing his appeal against sentence, Lord Justice Hughes, Mr Justice Wyn Williams and Mr Justice Hickinbottom substituted the lesser term of 18 months, which means he can return to his north-west London home this week. Campaigners had argued that Hall's sentence was "the death penalty by default". Hall's mother Anne, who joined supporters who clapped as the appeal judges announced their decision, said she was "absolutely delighted" with the court's decision to release her son. She said: "The court has made a right and just decision for which I am grateful. "It is important for people with disabilities that their needs are properly understood and prisons can cater for them in the way they would be treated in the community. Mrs Hall said it was a pity … Continue reading →