Anne O’Neill represents NICRN Stroke at ‘All Island Stroke Conference’ in Dublin
November 10, 2026
I would like to share with you all, my experience from attending the ‘All Island Stroke Conference’ in Croke Park, Dublin, on Monday 19th of October. As a new member of staff just having been with the NI Clinical Research Network for 8 weeks, I felt privileged to have been giving the opportunity to attend a paid conference.
Throughout the day, there were parallel sessions named ‘rehab’ and ‘acute’. I attended the acute sessions. The day was filled with presentations about surviving stroke, life after stroke, and research around stroke treatment.
There were many wonderful presentations from Professors, Consultants, Doctors and Nurses… however perhaps the most poignant session was from gentleman who was stroke survivor. Simon gave an amazing speech about his experience of stroke, from when it hit, through to the aftermath of stroke and how it changed his life forever. He went from being a senior logistics manager to not being able to work. The family income was cut by 56%. He lost confidence and no longer wished to socialise as he found it difficult to get his words out. His children were affected; the family could no longer afford extracurricular activities or family holidays. The financial pressures shifted to his wife who found this extremely stressful. Upon his discharge from hospital post stroke, Simon felt alone with very little support. He had to pay privately for physio, speech and language and Pilates to build his core back up. In time, Simon found the Irish Heart Foundation. Through this, he found incredible support, highlighting the importance of meeting other stroke survivors who knew what he was going through. He states post stroke fatigue was and still is having a profound impact on his life. He expressed content in being able to discuss this with peers and felt the importance of them knowing how he felt and truly understanding what life is like as a stroke survivor. Simon now volunteers at an ‘Irish Heart Foundation’ café one day a week and has adjusted to a new way of life.
This story was so touching; it was raw and made me realise just how important our Stroke research is. It is imperative that we continue to find new ways to treat stroke to ensure the best possible outcome and good quality of life for post stroke patients.
Another presentation that stood out was by Dr Dennison at Craigavon Area Hospital. He and his team recently ran a trial called ‘CODE STROKE, THE DIZZY PATIENT IN THE ED: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE DIZZINESS AT THE FRONT DOOR’. This reminds me of our current SMART trial to which in my first 8 weeks I have recruited 4 patients. We are primarily sourcing a pathway to distinguish between TIA and MIGRAINE, to avoid over/under treatment of both. Dr Dennison and his team have produced a fantastic ‘Dizzy Pathway’ which aims to avoid missing Ischemic Stroke diagnosis (potentially being misdiagnosed as BPPV or other pathologies.) This pathway has led to a reduction in misdiagnosis and led to a reduction in hospital admissions from 24% to 11
It was a wonderful day, chatting with peers from both North and South of the island. The importance of an ‘all island approach to care’ was highlighted to me through some discussion during lunch with ANP’s from Letterkenny, stating how they have no Thrombectomy service nearby, and that the future could propose emergency stroke treatment for patients in their catchment area travelling to Northern Ireland for life saving interventions.
Photos of artwork from ‘A Stroke of HeART’ which is beautiful artwork from stroke survivors – a creative journey through stroke recovery – celebrating 60 years of Care Through Creativity.
Kind regards,
Anne O’Neill – Stroke Research Nurse