​Stroke concern rising amid Covid-19 crisis warns charity, as East Berkshire service launches

Stroke professionals are warning people across East Berkshire who have a stroke or TIA/mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack) to call 999, despite the coronavirus pandemic. With stroke striking every five minutes, the Stroke Association fears that thousands of people could be at risk of severe disability, or even stroke-related death, if they don’t Act FAST on stroke symptoms.

The UK’s leading stroke charity is highlighting its world-famous stroke symptoms acronym, FAST, urging the public to familiarise themselves with the signs of a stroke: Face, Arms, Speech and Time (to call an ambulance) – Act FAST. The signs of a TIA/mini-stroke are the same as a stroke, but tend to only last up to 24 hours.

Latest figures from Public Health England showed attendance to Emergency Departments in England has dropped by almost half (45.6%) on the same week last year, from almost 152,000 to 82,533⁽ⁱ⁾.

The warning comes as the Stroke Association launches a new Stroke Recovery Service across East Berkshire, which supports stroke survivors and their families to rebuild their lives after stroke. Across Slough, Windsor, Bracknell, Ascot and Maidenhead, the charity will provide practical advice, emotional support and information following a stroke.

Kay Bunyan, Stroke Support Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “The fear of contracting the virus or feeling like a burden on the NHS might be the main reasons putting people off seeking treatment. Stroke is a medical emergency and it’s essential that you call 999 straight away if you suspect you or someone around you is having a stroke.

“We are reassured that hospitals are equipped and ready to treat stroke patients. Given the emergency changes being made across the NHS, it’s possible that a patient’s treatment or journey might be a bit different while measures are put in place to deal with coronavirus safely. But these are to keep patients and NHS workers safe and the most important thing to remember is to dial 999 if you suspect a stroke.”

Under normal circumstances, the Stroke Recovery Service provides coordinated support throughout the patient’s stroke journey from hospital. This often includes home visits and regular telephone calls to help access information, signposting to available benefits and returning to work, and accessing local leisure, social activities and self-management tools. It also includes support for carers of those affected by stroke.

Kay adds: “We’ve also adapted to the pandemic; now rather than visiting at home, we are currently using phone or video chat to support survivors during the pandemic.”

Avtar Maan, the Integration Manager on behalf of the East Berks partners, said: “We’re really pleased to be continuing to work with the Stroke Association as local delivery partners for our Stroke Support Services. They come with a wealth of experience and knowledge not only in stroke but of the local area”.

In 2001, the Stroke Association funded research to help paramedics spot the signs of stroke using the Face Arm Speech Time (to call an ambulance) test, which led to one of the most successful public health awareness campaigns in the UK, the Act FAST campaign. Symptoms such as facial drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulties are the most common, (but not exclusive), signs of a stroke.

Other signs of stroke can include

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including legs, hands or feet.
• Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences.
• Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
• Sudden memory loss or confusion, and dizziness or a sudden fall.
• A sudden, severe headache.

If you spot any one of these signs of a stroke, don't wait. Call 999 straight away.

The Stroke Association provides the East Berkshire Stroke Recovery Service, in partnership with Slough Borough Council, Bracknell Forest Council, The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and NHS East Berkshire CCG. For more information about stroke and the support available across East Berkshire, contact 01344 306177 or visit www.stroke.org.uk/finding-support/support-services/east-berkshire-stroke-recovery-service.