A stroke can have consequences for the individual concerned and family. It is a medical emergency and yet many people are not aware that when it occurs, every minute counts.
If we experience chest pain it is likely that we will immediately call for medical help and be rushed to hospital for urgent assessment and, if required, clot-buster therapy to stop the heart attack.
A stroke is a brain attack and the same therapy
can prevent the disastrous effects of the stroke from ocurrring if it can be given in time. At Scarborough Hospital we have the best developed acute stroke treatment service in Yorkshire and Humberside but still only 10 per cent of our patients arrive soon enough to be able to receive the treatment. Our ambulance crews and paramedics are tremendous and know exactly what to do, but often, people wait to see if things improve and so miss out on the opportunity for immediate treatment.
Evening News reporter Chris Nixon is slowly recovering from a massive stroke that struck him earlier this year at the age of 52. By the time Chris arrived at hospital it was too late for the clot-buster treatment. A local farmer had his stroke when harvesting but was brought straight to our A&E department where he was treated and able to go home in a few days.
We hope the message is clear to all.
Dr John Paterson
Consultant Physician
Mr Andrew Volans
A&E Consultant
Scarborough Hospital
The full article contains 253 words and appears in Scarborough Evening News newspaper.
