The UK National Audit Office has found that the NHS is failing stroke patients at all points of the patient's journey from initial emergency treatment through to rehabilitation.

The study found that stroke costs the economy £7bn ($12.1bn; €10.4bn) a year, making it the most expensive illness in the United Kingdom. But by failing to prioritise stroke cases as medical emergencies the NHS was missing out on savings that would result from shorter hospital stays and higher recovery rates, the watchdog found.

The study found that emergency care was lacking throughout the health service—despite the fact that rapid access to specialised services reduces death and disability in …