Press release: Acting FAST saves lives

Councillor Angharad Davies, who recently led a review of the county’s stroke care services, explains:

“If people can’t spot the signs of a stroke, they won’t know to call 999 and get immediate help. Stroke is a killer, as well as the leading cause of severe disability in the UK, but the good news is that the faster you get help, the better your chances.”

As old age is one of the risk factors of stroke and East Sussex has a very high proportion of retired residents, the lack of public awareness is alarming. This needs to change – and FAST.

FAST is a simple test to help you recognise the signs of a stroke:

• 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 a person fails any one of these tests, you must call 999. Stroke is a medical emergency and by calling 999 you can help someone receive the early treatment they need to improve their chances of recovery.

Although most people affected by stroke are over the age of 65, anyone can have a stroke, including children and even babies. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly cut off or reduced. Without the nutrients and oxygen that the blood carries, brain cells quickly become damaged or die. As the brain controls everything we do – like being able to move, speak, understand, remember, see and hear – this damage can result in disability and death.

The East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) has spent the past six months investigating peoples’ experience of stroke care in East Sussex. From this, and the perspectives of health and social care professionals working in the field, HOSC has been able to appraise the services currently available in East Sussex and examine where improvements are needed.

Councillor Angharad Davies, who led the review board, said:

“East Sussex is emerging as a leader in stroke care. We’ve seen some great examples of innovative practice, but there is more to be done.

“Not everyone knows to call 999 when they suspect a stroke, so we’d like GPs and other front line health and social care staff to be more effective at making sure stroke sufferers get emergency treatment. We’d also like a standardised system of follow-up care to be put in place, so that all stroke patients receive regular check-ups in the following months and years to prevent stroke happening again.

“And, of course, there’s still a huge need to raise public awareness. Everyone should know how to reduce their risk of having a stroke – and what to do if they suspect a friend or loved one has been affected.

“In all, the HOSC report has a total of 20 recommendations for the local NHS. We look forward to seeing how these will be implemented across the county.”

Further information

A national advertising campaign by the Stroke Association is currently promoting the FAST test

The rate of stroke in East Sussex is higher than the average rates for the South East coast area, and England as a whole. Age is a risk factor for stroke, and East Sussex has the highest percentage of very elderly residents of any county in England (in the over 75s, over 85s and over 90 years old.)

Of all people who have a stroke, about a third are likely to make a significant recovery within a month. But not everyone gets better. If a stroke is very severe, permanent damage to brain cells can result in long-term disability. In the worst cases, a stroke can be fatal if parts of the brain that control vital functions like breathing are shut down.

People can reduce their risk of stroke by stopping smoking, improving their diet, losing weight if obese, taking regular exercise, and by taking medication for high blood pressure (if necessary and advised by their GP).

Between 2006 and 2007, there were 1,370 hospital admissions in East Sussex as a result of stroke, a number which rises by 249 if you include transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs – ‘mini’ strokes.) These figures will not include patients who only went to outpatients or Accident and Emergency.

In total, GP data for 2006/7 shows that 11,088 people in East Sussex were registered as having had a stroke or TIA. That equates to 21.3 people per 1,000 of population. This rate is noticeably higher in Rother (26.6) and lower in Hastings (16.2) which reflects the relatively older and younger than average populations respectively in these districts.

Every year, an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke. Stroke is also the single largest cause of adult disability. There are over 900,000 stroke survivors living in England, and 300,000 people live with moderate to severe disability as a result of stroke.

The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) supports local people, by examining all major health-care decisions taken within the county. It also acts as a ‘critical friend’ by suggesting ways that health related services might be improved.

HOSC is made up of members of local district and borough councils as well as the County Council, with additional members representing the voluntary sector, and the East Sussex Local Involvement Network (LINk).

The HOSC stroke care survey was sent to 1,900 members of East Sussex County Council’s Residents Panel. 1,159 responded, a total of 61%. The summary report can be requested from Sam White – phone: 01273 481581.

Contact the press team