'Stroke is a Medical Emergency' says The Stroke Association

Lives could be saved and disability reduced if stroke was always treated as a medical emergency, according to the Stroke Association. The charity is calling on the public to act FAST if they suspect a stroke, as part of an 18-month nationwide campaign being launched on 6 October.

The 'Stroke is a Medical Emergency' campaign aims to raise public awareness of the symptoms of stroke and the need for changes within the health service so that stroke gets priority treatment. One of the key causes of delay is the lack of 24 hour brain scanning. The charity will be calling for more scanners and expert staff to make sure that stroke can be diagnosed quickly whenever it happens.

Stroke is the UK's third biggest killer and a leading cause of severe disability. But treating stroke as a medical emergency would improve the outcome for thousands of stroke patients. However, all too often people don't realise that someone is having a stroke. And once someone does call an ambulance there can be delays in diagnosis, assessment and treatment within the health service, affecting patient outcome.

The public are being asked to 'Act FAST' on stroke and learn how to recognise the signs of a stroke and to call 999 if a stroke is suspected. The focus for this is the 'Face, Arms, and Speech Test' or FAST, that tests for the symptoms of stroke and was developed through research funded by The Stroke Association. The test stands for:

Facial weakness
Arm weakness
Speech problems
Time to call 999

The Association has created a variety of resources on how to Act FAST on stroke. These include wallet-sized card for use as a reference aid. The public can also show their support for the campaign through 'Act FAST' wristbands, which are available through The Stroke Association's website and in all branches of bank Alliance & Leicester plc, who are supporting the campaign during September.

The Stroke Association will also be campaigning for change in the health service and will be looking to work with GPs, paramedics and other A & E professionals, which is being supported by the Ambulance Service Association.

Actress Martina Laird, who plays paramedic Comfort Newton in BBC hospital drama Casualty is supporting the campaign and commented:

"My role as a paramedic in Casualty and knowledge of stroke has made me realise that the care you receive in those first few minutes is vital. The treatment that paramedics give to patients, particularly those who have had a stroke, can make a real difference to recovery. Those vital moments count."

The public can learn more about the need to Act FAST on stroke at the Association's inaugural 'Duke of Kent Lecture'. The lecture, which will be introduced by The Stroke Association's President, the Duke of Kent, will discuss the issues surrounding the emergency treatment of stroke and the changes needed within the health service. The Duke of Kent lecture is open to everyone and tickets are available with a suggested donation of £20 per ticket.

Jon Barrick, Chief Executive at The Stroke Association commented:

'Stroke is the UK's third biggest killer and a leading cause of severe disability. But the quicker someone gets diagnosis the better their chance of a good outcome. So it's vital that people understand the symptoms of stroke and the urgent need to call an ambulance if they suspect someone is having a stroke. And it's also vital that once someone has dialled 999 that the health service is geared up to make a diagnosis as fast as possible - we think the target should be within three hours. This could reduce deaths from stroke and the impact of disability from stroke. I would urge everyone to act FAST on stroke and to join The Stroke Association in our campaign for stroke care to be given the priority it so desperately needs'.

Find out more about FAST and the Stroke is a Medical Emergency campaign

ENDS

For further information please contact the Media Team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 1500 or email press@stroke.org.uk

Notes to editor

1. The FAST test stands for Facial weakness; Arm weakness; Speech problems; Time to call 999

2. The Stroke is a Medical Emergency Campaign will be launched on October 6th with a campaign report and the results of a nationwide survey into public awareness of the symptoms of stroke and of perception of stroke as an emergency

3. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

4. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

5. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

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