CWU Promotes Stroke Act F.A.S.T. Dept Of Health Campaign
The main aim of the FAST campaign is to raise awareness of the symptoms of stroke. Prompt diagnosis and treatment within 3 hours can save lives and prevent disabilities - Time Lost is Brain Lost - Stroke victims need help FAST
The CWU is working closely with organisations and government bodies to campaign to increase awareness amongst CWU members and their families.
Issueing LTB731/11 last week (23rd August) Dave Joyce, CWU’s National Health, Safety & Environment Officer said:
“We have received a number of communications from Safety Reps, Branches and individuals that the information we have issued previously via our awareness campaigns was very helpful and in several cases helped individuals take the right course of action and in doing so helped Stroke Victims avoid more serious damage to their health possibly saved their lives. We are therefore re-issuing the information and updating the information on the CWU website.”
Dave added further:
“A number of Regional Health and Safety Forums, Branches and Safety Representatives have made direct contact with the main charities dealing with "Stroke" and have invited speakers to their meetings and run local awareness campaigns based on the information the health, safety and environment department issued.”
The letter to branches then provides details of the government campaigns and the bodies organising around Stroke awareness in general:
The main Charities are as follows and all three organisations have confirmed to the Health, Safety & Environment Department that they would be more than happy to hear from Trade Union Branches, Health and Safety Representatives and First Aiders to whom they will provide information and assistance:-
- The Stroke Association: Stroke House, 240 City Road, London, EC1V 2PR. Tel: 020 7566 0300 Email: info@stroke.org.uk Website: http://www.stroke.org.uk/
- The Stroke Association Northern Ireland: Saintfield Road, Belfast, BT8 8BH Tel:028 9050 8020 Email: northernireland@stroke.org.uk Website: http://www.strokeni.org.uk
- The Stroke Association Wales: Greenmeadow Springs Business Park, Unit 8, Cae Gwyrdd, Tongwynlais, Cardiff CF15 7AB. Tel: 029 2052 4400 Email: info.cymru@stroke.org.uk
- The Stroke Association Scotland: Links House, 15 Links Place, Edinburgh, EH6 7EZ. Tel: 0131 555 7240. Email: scotland@stroke.org.uk
- Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland: 65 North Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3LT. Tel: 0131 225 6963 Email: admin@chss.org.uk Website: http://www.chss.org.uk/
- Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke: 21 Dublin Road, Belfast BT2 7HB. Tel: 028 9032 0184 Email: mail@nichsa.com Website: http://www.nichsa.com/
In 2009 the Department of Health launch a three-year campaign to promote public awareness around stroke in conjunction with the Stroke Association. This year, 2011 is year three of the awareness campaign which the Health, Safety & Environment Department are supporting and we are re-issuing the Stroke Fact Sheet.
Stroke, a loss of brain function due to a clot or bleed in the brain, is the third leading cause of death and the single largest cause of adult disability in England.
Improving public awareness of the signs of stroke is a key element of the Government's National Stroke Strategy, published by the previous Labour Government in December 2007.
“Stroke spreads like a fire in the brain - the sooner you get to treatment and put the fire out, the less damage is caused to the brain.” - National Director for Stroke, Professor Roger Boyle.
Despite improvement in services, stroke still kills over 67,000 people in the UK each year and leaves thousands more disabled. In many cases, death or disability from stroke can be avoided, but recognition of these early warning signs is crucial.
This campaign is aimed at helping make sure that people having a stroke and those around them can recognise the signs and appreciate the need for fast emergency treatment.
The Stroke: Act F.A.S.T. awareness campaign aims to educate healthcare professionals, first aiders and the public on the signs of stroke and that prompt emergency treatment can reduce the risk of death and disability.
It encourages people to recognise the signs of stroke and feel confident to phone 999 for an ambulance on detecting any single one of them. Emergency action is as important for TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack) or ‘mini-strokes’.
When a stroke strikes act F.A.S.T.
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 for an ambulance if you spot any one of these signs.
Remember these facts:
- Stroke is the 3rd most common cause of death in the UK.
- With over 150,000 people in the UK having a stroke every year, it is imperative that people can recognise a stroke when it's happening and take prompt action.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment within 3 hours can save lives and prevent disabilities.
- Time Lost is Brain Lost - Stroke victims need help
- ACT FAST
It could happen to you, or someone you care for. If it does, you'll want to know as much as you can about strokes.
There are some simple ways you can change your lifestyle to lower your chances of having a stroke:
- stop smoking
- avoid drinking heavily
- eat a healthy diet
- take regular exercise
- have regular check ups with your GP, as the risk of stroke increases with age
- manage any other medical conditions you have, like high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure
Stroke Association HELPLINE: 0303 3033 100
Further Stroke Act F.A.S.T. Campaign support materials - Four types of Leaflets and Posters (pdf format) and the Department of Health - National Stroke Strategy can be downloaded here for printing off and widespread distribution.
Download the full letter to branches, LTB731/11 here
Source: CWU
