A new report has found that access to stroke beds "remains low", despite being "the most important intervention for all patients with a stroke".
Figures from the Irish National Audit of Stroke National Report for 2024 show that while annual hospital admissions for stroke increased by 13% between 2021 and 2024, the number of stroke unit beds rose by just 2%.
Here, one man tells his story.
Gerry Stevens was just 50 years old when he had a stroke at home in Co Meath.
The radio DJ of 40 years was watching television with his partner when he suddenly felt unwell.
"I could feel it coming up my back, in the back of my head, I could feel it fizzling.
"I didn't necessarily feel it was something catastrophic or anything to do with a stroke," he said.
Gerry's partner, Anne, saw his face had dropped on one side and she rang an ambulance.
'There was more of me to save because I was in the hospital so quickly'
He said that local first responders were at the door in less than six minutes.
"They were pretty sure, because of the Face, Arms, Speech and Time (FAST test) that I was fast positive and I had had a stroke."
Gerry was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and received a CT scan within an hour.
It was confirmed that he had had a bleed on the brain.
Gerry said the speedy response was the "key thing" in his treatment and recovery.
"There was more of me to save because I was in the hospital so quickly."
He spent 115 days in hospital, including four weeks in Drogheda, before moving to Louth County Hospital Dundalk for a further three months.
The left side of Gerry's body was affected by the stroke, with his speech and mobility impacted.
He had to learn how to walk again and has regained his speech. However, he still cannot use his left arm or hand.
"I haven't used a knife and fork for eight years. My fingers still don't work, but there are work arounds."
For this reason, he had a purpose-built radio studio installed in his back garden to be able to pursue his passion.
It has all of the controls on the right-hand side to enable him to continue his work as a DJ.
He is presenting one music show per week on Dublin City FM.
'My fingers still don't work, but there are work arounds'
In the past year, Gerry has seen the benefit of getting botox treatment in his arm.
He also said that he has had great supports since his discharge from hospital, including physiotherapy and counselling.
Gerry added that a cognitive rehabilitation course helped him to understand his body and how it reacts to a stroke.
