Leading stroke care is available

NHS Lanarkshire’s stroke services are reassuring patients that they will receive expert care, should they experience a stroke.

Lanarkshire residents are being encouraged to seek medical help for health issues which are not related to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Figures indicate patients are delaying seeking help for urgent conditions during the pandemic, wishing to reduce the strain on the NHS as well as the misconception that doctors do not want to see patients.

Professor Mark Barber, Consultant Physician, Geriatric and Stroke Medicine, said:“NHS Lanarkshire is open and it is safe.

“Our stroke units are open and we encourage patients with symptoms of stroke not to avoid hospital and, in particular, to follow FAST advice.

“If you believe you may be having a stroke, please call 999.

“We continue to deliver acute stroke treatments at all our hospitals using remote assessments and mobile technology.

“Some appointments may feel a bit different as we are using more innovative ways to care for our patients.

“For example, we are using virtual assessment and rehabilitation with ‘NHS Near Me’videoconferencing software.

“This is the case for some community stroke follow up and our TIA service, which is open for referrals.

“The stroke nurses continue to maintain services for those discharged or anyone wishing advice at this time.”

If any patient needs to contact NHS Lanarkshire’s stroke nurses, they can call 01236 703108.

Think stroke, think FAST:

F – Face drooping

A – Arm weakness

S – Speech difficulty

T – Time to call 999