Act F.A.S.T stroke campaign
Act F.A.S.T. is a new national government campaign aimed at helping people to recognise the signs of stroke, and to save lives and reduce the damage caused.
The
Stroke advice (opens in a new window) 
encourages people to look for the following signs:
F. Face - has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
A. Arms - can they raise both arms and keep them there?
S. Is their speech slurred?
T. Time to call 999 if you see any single one of these signs
A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. So recognising the signs and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial.
Quick diagnosis of a stroke is important to understanding the cause, the damage done and what immediate medical treatment is needed.
The sooner someone who has had a stroke gets the right medical attention the better their chances of a good recovery. So minutes really do matter.
A leaflet "Suspect a stroke?" can be ordered from Request community care (Adult Social Services) factsheets under the heading Adult and Community Services - General.
