Stroke Foundation is deeply disappointed that the 2026-27 Victorian State Budget has failed to invest in stroke awareness, prevention and recovery again, despite a clear and urgent need to act.
Stroke Foundation has continued to call on the Victorian Government to invest in a statewide F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) community awareness campaign, enhance support for survivors of stroke leaving hospital, and secure the future of the Young Stroke Service - Australia's first health service dedicated to helping young stroke survivors aged 18 to 55.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, says the omission was a missed opportunity to save lives and ease pressure on Victoria's Health System.
"With 80 per cent of strokes being preventable, the case for investment in greater awareness and early intervention has never been stronger. This Budget was an opportunity to give Victorians the tools to recognise stroke and act quickly, and to give survivors the support they need to recover, rebuild their lives and achieve their best life after stroke," Dr Murphy said.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and disability in Victoria, yet government investment in Stroke Foundation's awareness, prevention and recovery programs has been lacking, and this is having a flow-on negative effect in the community.
"Whilst we welcome the unveiling of a new standard for handling Triple 000 emergency calls in Victoria (and additional $50.7 million funding boost to ensure faster ambulance and paramedic response across the state), without improving community awareness of the signs of stroke or knowing to call triple 000 in the first place - many of those emergency calls will not be made, and many more lives will be lost", Dr Murphy added.
Recent data shows that one in three Victorians cannot recognise the common signs of stroke or identify key risk factors, and one in four Victorian survivors of stroke are discharged from hospital without the information they need to support their recovery and prevent a secondary stroke.
Stroke Foundation urgently needs the support of the Victorian Government with its programs and services in greater demand than ever before due to current systems not adequately meeting the demands of the community.
"Every dollar invested in stroke prevention and recovery is a dollar saved in emergency hospital admissions, disability services, and aged care. With the state election looming in November this year, we urge the Victorian Government to reconsider this decision and work with us to reduce the devastating impact of stroke on Victorian families and communities."
