Stroke treatment Omicron fears

The UK’S largest stroke charity is warning the people of Monklands not to delay seeking treatment for stroke due to worries over Omicron.

The Stroke Association is concerned that public fear of increasing Covid-19 rates is likely to see a similar drop in stroke admissions seen in Scotland at the start of the pandemic.

During the first wave of the pandemic there was a significant decrease in admissions to stroke wards, when the Covid-19 infection rate rose rapidly.

The Stroke Association’s Recoveries at Risk report found this was due to patient worries over catching Covid-19 or being a burden on the NHS.

Nearly a third (32 per cent) of people who survived a stroke between March and June 2020 said they delayed seeking medical attention due to coronavirus.

John Watson, associate director Scotland of the Stroke Association, said: “When Covid cases rise as quickly as they are doing now, that sets off alarm bells at our charity and everyone involved in the treatment of stroke.

“More Omicron cases is likely to mean more preventable deaths and disability due to stroke, as people delay seeking emergency medical attention.

“We know that people get scared to go to hospital when cases rise but stroke is a life-threatening condition. Fear of catching Covid and feeling like a burden on the NHS stopped people calling 999 in the past.

“Stroke is an emergency medical condition and should be treated as an emergency from the moment you ring 999.

“You have to remember that stroke is a brain attack and when you see any of the FAST signs of stroke in someone, this means that their brain is dying. You must raise the alarm; you must call 999 immediately.”

Visit https://www.stroke.org.uk/ to find out more.