Published Thursday 3 February 2022 at 17:18
Local residents are being urged not to delay seeking help if they have signs of having a stroke and to ‘Act FAST’ to help save lives.
NHS staff have been working together to ensure that stroke care and urgent treatment can safely continue while responding to the Covid pandemic.
There are concerns that people are putting off getting help for strokes when they need it due to worries about Coronavirus, or that people may not recognise the signs of a stroke.
A stroke is a serious life-threatening condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. A stroke often results in people being taken by ambulance to A&E for emergency treatment, but some people are arriving too late to benefit from the lifesaving and disability-preventing treatments that are available in our hospitals.
Catherine Curley, Nurse Consultant in Stroke Medicine at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, explained:
When somebody has a stroke, every second that goes by is crucial.
If you or a loved one experience stroke symptoms, please help us help you: act FAST and call 999.
Our expert paramedics, stroke nurses, radiologists and doctors will ensure you get the care you need as quickly as possible.
The main signs of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST:
- Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
- Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
- Speech – is their speech slurred?
- Time to call 999
Catherine added:
It’s really important to remember that the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.
Prof Dominic Harrison, Blackburn with Darwen’s Director of Public Health, commented:
As a result of the pandemic, we have seen higher levels of ‘excess mortality’ in Blackburn with Darwen – basically more people dying of avoidable non-Covid causes compared to the numbers recorded in previous years.
This could be due to people feeling more uncomfortable or anxious about going to hospital in an emergency, or because of pressures on the health system.
I support anything we can do to encourage people with a genuine and urgent need for treatment to seek medical help quickly in an emergency, such as with stroke. Raising awareness of the signs of stroke and the need to Act FAST is a very important part of how we can address some of the avoidable deaths that sadly many local families have had to experience.
The NHS across Lancashire and South Cumbria is currently highlighting the Act FAST campaign to encourage people to recognise the main signs of stroke and dial 999.
Jennifer Gardner, Head of Stroke Support at the Stroke Association added:
By acting FAST and getting access to world-class treatments that the NHS provides, you can help save lives. If you suspect that you, or someone you’re with, may be having a stroke don’t hesitate to seek medical help.
The quicker you are diagnosed and treated for a stroke, the better your chances of making a good recovery.
Now more than ever, during this pandemic we must remain focused on making and keeping stroke a priority for the UK.
For information about strokes visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/
For information, if you have had a stroke and you’re worried about Coronavirus visit: https://www.stroke.org.uk/finding-support/information-coronavirus-stroke-survivors
For more information about the Stroke Association visit: https://www.stroke.org.uk