Government health targets to cut the number of strokes by next year are unlikely to be met, consumer researchers have claimed.

A report published by Health Which? on Tuesday concluded the number of people dying from strokes in some parts of the country could be reduced by half if hospitals set up specialist units.

A spokesman for the Department of Health told ePolitix.com: "We recognise the value of organised stroke care within hospitals and have made improvements to stroke services a priority. We are determined to end the postcode lottery of access to stroke care.

"By 2004 all general hospitals treating stroke will have a team of multi-disciplinary professionals with expertise in this area.

"Eighty three per cent of these hospitals are well on their way to introducing this service and strategic health authorities will plan, deliver and monitor progress locally on this major milestone."

Forum Response: Health Which?

Sue Freeman, acting editor of Health Which?, said: "The fact is that stroke patients denied early access to an acute stroke unit are more likely to die.

"The government must ensure that proper provision of acute stroke beds for patients immediately following a stroke is addressed and equally it must address the provision of rehabilitation beds for longer term recovery to improve the UK's unenviable record in survival after a stroke."

Forum Response: The Stroke Association

A spokeswoman for The Stroke Association said: "Stroke is a leading cause of death in the UK and also the single largest cause of severe adult disability. Around 130,000 people in the UK suffer a first stroke every year and 300,000 people are living with the effects of a stroke.

"The government has included a section on stroke units in its National Service Framework for Older People, published in 2001. It recommended that by 2004 all stroke patients should be treated in stroke units.

"We doubt that this target will be met. While some hospitals are making real improvements, we are concerned that in other hospitals the change is just cosmetic. Beds are just being relabelled."