Federal Labor health spokeswoman Catherine King on Tuesday announced the party's pledge to link 41 regional emergency departments to a roster of the country's leading stroke specialists.

Launceston General and North West Regional hospitals would be part of the national $11.9 million National Telestroke Network, which would provide support examining patients, reviewing brain imaging and giving advice through a video conference call-like technology.

Stroke Foundation clinical council chairman Professor Bruce Campbell said pilot programs around the country were already delivering "remarkable outcomes".

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"Tasmania has the highest stroke incidence per capita in the country and it's estimated there will be more than 293 strokes in the Bass electorate this year alone," Mr Campbell said. "Advancements in stroke treatments mean, for many Australians, stroke no longer inevitably leads to death and disability.

He added that a national network would remove geographical barriers to those treatments and boost the capacity of regional doctors.

"It will save lives, better support our health professionals and reduce the economic impact of stroke," Mr Campbell added.

Each year, approximately 56,000 people suffer a stroke in Australia. Developed by the Stroke Foundation, the proposed network has been endorsed by the Australian Stroke Coalition.

Ms King said there was a "critical window" of about 4.5 hours in which clot-dissolving drugs need to be administered to best treat a stroke.

"For many people, if you haven't got the diagnosis, or you haven't got the sign off that that's the drug you need - or if you need transport for surgery - those decisions need to be made very quickly," Ms King said.

Bass Labor MHR Ross Hart said the important issue was that people receive diagnosis and a treatment plan within the 4.5 hour best-practice window.

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