One in 10 eligible stroke patients do not receive early rehab that could improve their chances of recovery, Australian data shows.

In addition, more than 40% do not have their ongoing rehabilitation needs assessed in line with guidelines.

Patients living in residential care and those with dementia are at a higher risk of missing out on recommended rehabilitation interventions, placing an additional burden on their carers, as well as community and aged care services, the study has found.

The researchers analysed data from the 2015 National Stroke Audit on 3462 patients treated for stroke at 112 Australian hospitals to assess whether they received rehabilitation interventions recommended by Stroke Foundation guidelines.