Think FAST for Stroke Awareness |
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NHS Milton Keynes and Milton Keynes Hospital are asking local people to think ‘FAST’ to identify signs of stroke. It’s part of a three-year campaign to promote public awareness around stroke that was launched by the Department of Health today. Stroke is a loss of brain function due to a clot or bleed in the brain. It is the third leading cause of death and the single largest cause of adult disability in England. Improving public awareness of the signs of stroke is a key element of the Government’s National Stroke Strategy, published in December 2007. The campaign will inform the public about FAST – Face, Arm, Speech, Time to call 999. FAST is a simple test to help people to recognise the signs of stroke and understand the importance of fast emergency treatment. The things to look out for are: Facial weakness – Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped? Arm weakness – Can the person raise both arms? Speech problems – Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Time to call 999 - If the person has any one of these symptoms call an ambulance In Milton Keynes, there has been a gradual reduction in the death rates from stroke. All GP practices maintain a register of stroke patients and monitor these patients’ blood pressure and cholesterol levels on a regular basis. NHS Milton Keynes works closely with Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to improve access to early treatment for all patients with suspected stroke. Dr Marianne Vinson, Consultant in Public Health said “The FAST campaign is a great way of making sure the public recognise the signs of stroke. Swift emergency action can limit damage to the brain, as well as dramatically improve a person’s chances of surviving and of avoiding a long-term disability. “Being overweight and smoking can significantly increase the chance of having a stroke. Through healthy eating, keeping active and stopping smoking you will greatly reduce your chances of having a stroke. If you would like some help or advice ask at your local GP surgery.” Dr Yaw Duodu, General Medicine and Stroke Care Specialist at Milton Keynes Hospital, said: “We welcome this campaign that will give people a better understanding of stroke and the importance of fast treatment so that more lives can be saved and more long-term disabilities prevented. “At Milton Keynes Hospital we offer a comprehensive stroke care service aimed at ensuring our patients have access to quality services and, therefore, a much greater chance of recovery from stroke. In addition to a large specialist Acute Stroke Unit to help treat patients who have had a stroke the hospital runs three Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), or mini-stroke, clinics every week. This is important, as without treatment, about one in four people who have had a TIA will go on to have a full-blown stroke within a few years. “Our hospital based rehabilitation service is well established, and includes physiotherapists, nursing staff, dietetics and occupational therapists as well as speech therapists. We are working closely with NHS Milton Keynes to ensure that services and access to services continue to improve.” |
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