Residents in Lancashire and South Cumbria 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 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
All acute trusts across Lancashire and South Cumbria are looking to introduce artificial intelligence-assisted (AI) brain scans to speed up stroke treatment later this year.
AI for stroke imaging is being rolled out across the area following the success of mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure which removes a blood clot from a blood vessel which can prevent long-term disability as a result of a stroke.
The new AI tool will allow doctors to view patient scans remotely on an app and make better and faster decisions on the right treatment options for their patients. Early results show the tool has significantly increased the proportion of patients who have received timely and potentially life-saving treatment.
Clinicians are concerned that people are putting off getting help when they need it due to coronavirus worries and want to reassure them that local services have been restructured to reduce the risk of infection in the hospital, such as splitting A&E services into Covid-19 and non-Covid areas.
A new act FAST campaign is being launched today (14 May) encouraging people to recognise the main signs of stroke and dial 999. 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.
Catherine Curley, Stroke Consultant Nurse for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said: “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.”
Dr Nick Roberts, Clinical Director – Medicine for Older People for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said:
“It’s vital that people act FAST and use the NHS should they urgently need it, especially for killer conditions like stroke where time is of the essence.
“It is brilliant to see cutting-edge technologies like AI scans being brought in despite the coronavirus pandemic. This work will revolutionise the way we review scans and make treatment decisions. We look forward to the roll-out of the new AI stroke scans across the region.”
Jennifer Gardner, Head of Stroke Support at the Stroke Association said: “May is Stroke Awareness month and we are using this opportunity to remind everyone that the NHS is still there for you if you suspect you, or someone close to you, is having a stroke.
“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. Think FAST: Face, Arms, Speech – it’s time to call 999. 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 stroke 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