Thousands of people risk serious stroke harm with driving mistake

 Well then, prove that you've fixed the problem of ambulance wait times. The problem IS NOT people getting themselves there by driving. YOU'RE BLAMING THE WRONG POPULATION YOU BLITHERING IDIOTS!

Thousands of people risk serious stroke harm with driving mistake

A rising number of stroke victims are putting themselves at risk by taking themselves to A&E instead of waiting for an ambulance amid concerns about long waits for an ambulance, a charity has warned. Stroke patients who seek help via 999 have a better chance of getting specialist help, the Stroke Association said.

The charity acknowledged people’s concerns about ambulance wait times, but this is still the “fastest and most efficient way to get the best treatment and care for stroke”. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off and it is classed as a medical emergency.

Certain treatments can reduce the risk of death and long-term disability if they are delivered in a timely way. But new analysis from the Stroke Association shows that a stroke patient makes their own way to A&E, instead of arriving by ambulance, every 22 minutes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Overall 26.8% of stroke patients – some 23,491 people – reported making their own arrangements to get to the hospital in 2024/25, according to the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme.

It is the highest number since the stroke audit began more than a decade ago. The figure has been steadily rising over the last few years, standing at just 19.4% in 2020/21. The Stroke Association is encouraging people to call 999 rather than making their own way to A&E, saying this is the fastest way to get specialist stroke treatments.

Paramedics know which units are the best for emergency stroke care – which are not available at all hospitals, it added. Ensuring patients get to these specialist hubs means they are more likely to get timely access to stroke treatments including a procedure to remove the blood clot causing the stroke, known as a thrombectomy, or fast-track brain scans – which can be requested before an ambulance even arrives at the hospital.

They can also be admitted straight to an acute stroke unit which has been shown to improve a patient’s survival odds and leads to better recovery among stroke victims. The charity highlighted how timely treatment is essential to increase the chances of a patient surviving a stroke and to minimise brain damage which can leave stroke survivors unable to move, see, speak or swallow.

Professor Deb Lowe, medical director of the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke is a medical emergency so anyone who is experiencing symptoms should call 999 and wait for an ambulance. We have long supported the NHS’s Fast campaign which highlights the most common symptoms of stroke – facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech – as that’s when it is time to call 999.

“Even with the undeniable pressures the NHS is experiencing, we stand firm on that advice as it is the best way to get rapid and evidence-based care.”