Plea for brain illness patients

The condition can often follow a stroke

A campaign aimed at improving the treatment and care of people with the brain condition Aphasia has been launched.

The condition can often result from brain damage caused by a stroke and leaves victims unable to speak, read, write or understand language.

Campaigners have estimated that up to 30,000 people in Scotland suffer from Aphasia and have called on the Scottish Parliament to take up their case.

The introduction of single shared assessment should result in a much better approach to identifying the care an individual requires, including those with Aphasia.

Scottish Executive spokesman

They have lodged a petition urging MSPs to recognise the seriousness of the condition and support the development of services for patients.

They want to see more speech therapists and social workers tasked to help people with the condition and funding for training and information for other health service professionals.

The campaigning group Speakability said doctors, nurses and managers in the NHS need to know a lot more about Aphasia.

The Scottish Executive said the system of single shared assessment of patients should improve diagnosis and care.

A spokesman said: "Clearly, dealing effectively with this complex issue needs a sophisticated and joined-up approach by both the NHS and local authority care services.

"The introduction of single shared assessment should result in a much better approach to identifying the care an individual requires, including those with Aphasia.

"The joint management and resourcing of these care services should bring greater efficiency and cohesion to local service delivery and improve the situation for these sufferers."