📢SAVE THE DATE for #UKSF26 We’re wrapping up 2025 in style at Team UKSF 🎉But before the celebrations kick in, we’ve already circled 2 – 4 December 2026 in our diaries! UKSF is heading to ACC Liverpool – join us for big plans, big conversations and more… don’t miss it!

Two weeks since #UKSF25 and the buzz hasn’t stopped! What breakthrough ideas or inspiring moments have you been sharing? Missed the action? Don’t worry! Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear news about #UKSF26. Exciting things are coming!👉 t.co/VQPkepKJFs

#UKSF25 ✅ Twenty years of turning evidence into action, learning from lived experience, challenging inequality, building momentum for policy change, and celebrating the successes of the stroke community. See you in Liverpool for #UKSF26. Now… my carriage awaits. 🚁

Welcome to the end of #UKSF25! In the Closing Plenary, we heard about the power of the multidisciplinary team in supporting patients to actively engage in their recovery. But challenges remain, particularly around funding and resource. “Start small and plan big to improve care.”

At #UKSF25, voices from the devolved nations highlighted gaps in stroke services & discussed how clinicians & researchers can drive change. “We do not need more policies — they’re not sticking. We need practical action to make stroke a priority.” Here’s what needs to change. 👇

Missed the Poster Presentations at #UKSF25? No problem! All posters are available on the Crowd Comms app. Here’s an example of stroke in a young adult after chickenpox, and a reminder of why more research is needed. The relationship is already well understood in children. 👇

“When do patients go from recovery, to discovery of themselves?” Stroke stories are often dismissed as anecdotal, but Prof Frederike van Wijck used quotes from survivors to frame the journey from pre- to post-stroke, and the factors that can support that transition. #UKSF25

Offering meat-free lunches five days a week could save the NHS £2.2 billion annually, yet resistance to change remains. A small study in New York found over 90% satisfaction with plant-based options, saving $0.59 per-person, and an estimated 36% reduction in emissions. #UKSF25

Up and at ’em! The third and final day of #UKSF25 is underway, with plenty still to come including: the Princess Margaret Memorial Lecture, debates on acute management, powerful stroke survivor stories, and discussions on improving access to PFO closure for secondary prevention.

“Everyone in this room is a heartbeat away from a stroke,” said survivor Jeremy Dearling. Should we screen the general population for AF, instead of waiting for a preventable crisis? New analysis suggests AF screening could be an effective predictor of stroke. #UKSF25

What more can we do to advance stroke recovery? “Nothing about us, without us.” Lived experience should guide research, not only contribute data. To move forward, we have to harness emerging technologies, learn from global rehab research, and commit to excellence in every aspect of care. #UKSF25

Kidney failure and stroke at #UKSF25. “A lot of people on dialysis have strokes,” said Prof Patrick Mark. “But patients on dialysis are always less likely to be admitted to a stroke unit, even though survival would be better.” Patients on dialysis also have strokes younger.

“Don’t be a dick.” One of the many takeaways from a stroke survivor session at #UKSF25, about how we can create SAFE spaces for patients. Soon followed by the poignant reminder that, “Anyone in this room could be the next survivor.” Don’t take it for granted that you’re not.

In the Green Zone at #UKSF25, CEO of Trellis, Fiona Thackeray spoke about the power of social prescribing. By growing plants, we can reduce: ▪️Inflammation ▪️Dementia risk ▪️Pain medication “But you have to want to do it, and enjoy it,” and therein lie the benefits. 🌱

Stroke survivor Peter shared his story, describing the difficulty of not knowing what caused his stroke. “If you are a stroke survivor, you live in fear that it might happen again”. Receiving an AF diagnosis, starting treatment and management brought him real relief. #UKSF25

Another day, another Poster Presentation Session at #UKSF25. Expect a diverse selection of studies across stroke prevention, acute management, and long-term recovery! Come with curious minds and questions to discuss the findings and implications with authors.

Dr Joseph Kwan spoke nutrition at #UKSF25 Ultra processed foods increase the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD), while a Mediterranean diet can lower CVD risk by reducing lipid profiles (including oxidised lipids), and total cholesterol. Have a look for yourself.👇

Existing guidelines on diet are “so beige to the point of being useless,” says Dr Sundhya Raman. “Prioritise plants on your plate. “If the majority of foods you eat are sourced from plants, it’s a cardio-protective diet,” with the potential to reduce stroke risk by 19%. #UKSF25

The talks continue in the #UKSF25 Exhibition Hall with Dr Adaeze Ifezulike discussing lifestyle medicine, and the importance of preventative care and holistic health practices in stroke. 👏

Stroke survivors want to return to work, but the barriers they face can make this a major challenge. Clinical guidelines recommend that healthcare professionals offer vocational rehabilitation, but how can we best fulfil this role? A topic currently being discussed at #UKSF25.

Welcome to Day 2 of #UKSF25! We’re set for another jam-packed day, with sessions covering individualised stroke prevention, a first look at the new SSNAP audit data, dysarthria management, and the impact of renal function on stroke. And that’s just a taste of what’s to come!

Overheard at #UKSF25. “It’s cold in Aberdeen.”

If you happen to be staying in central Aberdeen for #UKSF25, don’t attempt to walk the ~five miles to @PandJLive. Instead, save your legs and flex your cool credentials aboard the shuttle bus. Getting you from A to B, in style. Details cans be found on the @CrowdComms app.

Overheard at #UKSF25. “This is such a wonderful conference, and anyone who works in stroke should make it an annual event that they visit year-on-year. My brain is brimming with ideas, and my heart is filled with renewed passion for my profession.” - Dr Art E. Reece

Only 200 people in Scotland had a thrombectomy in 2024. We must do better. Innovation is more than an idea. It’s about taking the idea and implementing it effectively. Without that, thrombectomy is nothing but a missed opportunity for thousands of stroke patients. #UKSF25

In our #UKSF25 session on physical activity guidelines, we discussed the challenges facing stroke survivors to return to physical activity. “In hospital, people learn to become sedentary, and there needs to be more structures to break down those barriers and build confidence.”

Geoff Render spoke about surviving two strokes, yet never receiving a mechanical thrombectomy because he arrived outside the treatment window. “I had a minor stroke, but I would have made a much more significant recovery had I received the treatment.” #UKSF25

Driving & vision post-stroke. Like a car, a powered mobility scooter or wheelchair may need to be registered with the DVLA (depending on its class), & the user must meet certain visual-acuity standards to drive it—even if they were using the scooter before their stroke. #UKSF25

Elissa Manzi and Lucy Dyson are representing BAS at the UK Stroke Forum in Aberdeen! Come and say hello and discuss all things #aphasia at stand 85 🙌🏼 💬🧠 #UKSF25 #BAS

About a third of people with intracerebral haemorrhage die. But Dr Floris Schreuder highlighted what more can be done to improve outcomes for stroke patients, showcasing a range of surgical interventions that can reduce pressure on the brain, and reduce deaths by 25%. #UKSF25

Head over to the main exhibition hall for the first of our Poster Presentation Sessions at #UKSF25. Experts from across the field are showcasing a wide range of topics, each promising to be informative, insightful, and passionately presented. Questions welcome!

Need a break from the #UKSF25 Exhibition Hall? Join Aberdeen Countryside Rangers on Tuesday (12:40) and Wednesday (12:25) lunchtime for a guided wellbeing walk: touch grass, dig up some Scots Pine, and see some wildlife. 🦅 Meet at reception in your comfiest shoes, here.👇

About 35% of patients experience spasticity, yet many clinicians report not seeing it on the ward. But the question asked by Dr Alyson Nelson at #UKSF25, “Are you looking for it?” She emphasises the importance of reassessing for spasticity frequently and in different situations.

Racial disparities in stroke care.👇 Black patients face higher mortality rates than White patients. Black and Asian patients often need more psychological support and are more likely to experience recurrent stroke. At #UKSF25 we discussed what more can be done to address these vital issues.

Prof Will Whitely spoke about research into common viral infections and stroke risk, using @bhfdatascience.bsky.social He shared that flu vaccination is associated with about a one-third reduction in all-cause cardiovascular events among people who receive the vaccine. #UKSF25

Come along and hear from experts in rehabilitation! Jo and Kyle from MedFac are here to fulfil all your rehab needs with demonstrations of their specialist technologies and equipment. To find out more, you can visit: www.kinetecuk.com #UKSF25

Come along to the #UKSF25 Exhibition Hall to meet our exhibitors and learn all about how they can support your work! Don’t be shy. 👇

Good luck! We look forward to hearing all about the transformative role of technology and AI in aphasia rehabilitation.👇

Back in 2005… James Blunt released You’re Beautiful. Crazy Frog beat Coldplay to the top of the charts. Tony Blair was Prime Minister. And the UK Stroke Forum held its very first conference. Now, 20 years on, we’re here for #UKSF25. Welcome to P&J Live in the Granite City!

The countdown is almost over! 😃 Tomorrow we kick off the UK Stroke Forum’s 20th anniversary conference! Curious what’s in store? Hear first-hand from one of last year’s delegates as she reflects on her powerful and personal experience: tinyurl.com/r36w9e6d #UKSF25

Ready for #UKSF25? If you’re joining us, we know you’re raring to go! If not, this is your last chance to register 👉 tinyurl.com/2jd92aba ⚠️ Please note, sessions announced may incur minor changes. Stay updated via the app!

And finally, wrapping up our 20th anniversary #UKSF25 with the latest breakthroughs, trends, and innovations shaping stroke care, we take a look at what's hot & what's new.

Delivered by our prizewinner for the 2025 Princess Margaret Memorial lecture award, Professor Frederike van Wijck, join us for this inspiring lecture exploring how continuous learning and innovation can transform stroke recovery. #UKSF25

For our bonus plenary, discover why integrating lived experience is essential for building inclusive, effective stroke care solutions. This session will explore practical strategies to ensure voices of those affected are heard and valued. #UKSF25

#UKSF25 opens with a bang! Our star-studded plenary brings together political heavyweights, clinical trailblazers, and a lived experience champion to ignite bold conversations and spotlight stroke innovation. This is where ambition meets action. Don’t miss it. #GameChangers

First we're excited to announce an insightful session exploring how collaboration drives innovation in stroke research, with the Stroke Association unveiling its bold new research strategy, designed to accelerate breakthroughs and improve lives. #UKSF25

Our last announcements before we open the doors to #UKSF25 on Tuesday! 🎉Are you ready? We have not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 fantastic plenary announcements coming up...

And finally, our last announcement for today, more to come later this week 👀 Our high-scoring case report abstracts bring unique clinical experiences and lessons to the spotlight. Don’t miss these onsite – where practice meets learning! #UKSF25

Our high-scoring trainee abstracts, supported by our co-underwriters BIASP, showcase the next generation of stroke research excellence. #UKSF25

Driving change in stroke services! Our top-rated service abstracts highlight real-world improvements. #UKSF25