Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Stroke specialist nurses from Bronglais Hospital and Ceredigion’s Life after Stroke coordinator held a dedicated stand at Morrison’s supermarket in Aberystwyth this week to support a national awareness-raising campaign. The ‘Lower your risk of stroke’ stand was held in the entrance to the supermarket on Wednesday 8 March, offering blood pressure checks, pulse checks and stroke primary prevention advice and information. Overall the team provided stroke prevention advice to over 40 people and provided blood pressure and pulse checks for 39 people, of which 12 were referred onto their GP for further assessment. In Wales more than 7,000 people have a stroke each year and it is one of the leading causes of severe adult disability. There are over 65,100 people in Wales and 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke. By taking action on three of the biggest stroke risk factors, the number of strokes across Wales could be reduced by up to 50%. The campaign asks people to ...

Patients are arriving too late at hospital to receive the most promising treatment after a stroke, a Hywel Dda doctor has warned. Only 43% of patients who suffered a stroke in Carmarthenshire in 2012 got to a hospital in time to benefit from thrombolysis. Available 24/7 at Glangwili and Prince Philip Hospitals, thrombolysis treatment is only effective within 4.5hrs of having a stroke. Dr Granville Morris, Consultant Physician at Prince Philip Hospital, said: “Patients with an acute stroke are not accessing the emergency help available to them quick enough and are losing out on the clot buster treatment. “If someone appears to have a stroke according to the FAST protocol, Face droop, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to call 999, then please call an ambulance immediately.” A delay in getting help can reduce the chances of a full recovery, long-term disabilities or even death. Think FAST, never delay.