Stroke Patients – Early Detection Crucial

An 80 year old female from Scone, who suffered a stroke has been taken to the John Hunter Hospital by the Wesptac Rescue Helicopter.

Scone Ambulance transferred the patient to Muswellbrook Hospital to meet the chopper.

Mark Bell, manager of Scone Ambulance stressed the importance of recognising signs and symptoms of stroke early, due to the transport time to a major hospital such as the John Hunter.

“The John Hunter Hospital has a neurology unit to treat patients with stroke and it is important to get them there as soon as possible,” said Mr Bell.

“If people can recognise the early symptoms it can make all the difference to their outcome,” he said.

“There may be slurred speech, facial droop, loss of movement in limbs,” he said.

“It might start with a twitch in the face and within half an hour to an hour the patient may have fully lost movement on one side of their body,” he said.

“People need to call an ambulance as soon as possible, from their home we can organise a transfer to the John Hunter, be it activating the transport system such as the Westpac Rescue helicopter or a rapid transport to the John Hunter,” he said.

“We have early diagnosis systems on board, can maintain control of the airways and provide care if there is a seizure,” he said.

“Minutes really count with stroke, so we encourage people to call us even if they aren’t sure, rather than wait for symptoms to worsen,” Mark Bell said.