Campaign launched to remind people of stroke symptoms

PUBLIC Health England has launched a campaign for stroke awareness.

Its Act Fast campaign reminds people of the key symptoms of a stroke and the importance of calling 999 immediately.

Figures from the organisation shows that 24 per cent of people would wait to call an ambulance because they wrongly believe they need to see two or more symptoms before making the call.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Other barriers to dialling 999 include feeling they need permission to act on behalf of others.

As part of the campaign, new films being released will encourage everyone in south east not to hesitate if they see key stroke symptoms.

They include:

n Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?

n Arms – can they raise both their arms and keep them there?

n Speech – is their speech slurred?

Michael Baker, deputy director for Healthcare Public Health in the south east, said: ‘The Act Fast campaign reminds people of the key symptoms of stroke.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘The faster someone experiencing a stroke gets emergency treatment, the more chance that person has of surviving and avoiding serious disability. Stoke is one of the leading causes of death in the country.’

The Stroke Association has been working with Public Health England.

Association chief executive Juliet Bouverie said: ‘A stroke is a brain attack and acting fast makes a huge difference. The quicker you act the more of the person you save.’

n Watch a video at portsmouth.co.uk