Stroke Association comment on ambulance wait times

Charlotte Nicholls, Head of Policy at the Stroke Association said: “Stroke is a medical emergency. Stroke strikes every five minutes and is the fourth biggest cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability. Treatment for stroke is time sensitive, so getting the best treatment quickly is vital to survival and recovery. Every minute a stroke is left untreated, 1.9 million brain cells can die. The later treatment happens, the harder recovery can be for survivors and the more likely it is that they will be left with severe effects of stroke, including increased disability.

“Paramedics should aim to respond to a suspected stroke in 18 minutes. Yet unprecedented system-wide pressures are now severely compromising ambulance response and hospital treatment times, despite the tireless efforts of health professionals. We are gravely worried about the impact this is having on people experiencing a stroke and we are now hearing from people who missed treatment, that would have reduced the disability they’re now left with.

“It’s essential the current complex pressures on emergency services are addressed immediately with more resources and funding ahead of this winter, to allow for quicker dispatch of ambulances, transfer to hospital and handover at A&E. And it’s vital that people continue to call 999 as soon as they spot the signs of a stroke.”