Stroke victims 'need speech help'

People in Northern Ireland who lose their ability to speak after suffering a stroke are not getting the help they need, according to a new survey.

It found many stroke survivors feel they do not receive enough speech and language therapy.

Speechmatters, part of the Stroke Association, will launch its Lost Without Words campaign at Stormont on Wednesday.

The association's Laura Gregson said aphasia could be "devastating".

"It not only affects stroke survivors' speech, it also affects their life in terms of work, socialising and family life.

"Many people with aphasia feel isolated, they feel depressed and they feel their life has been taken away."