Pennine Acute Trust host stroke talk

Stroke Team at Fairfield General Hospital

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is inviting staff, patients and the public to attend a free stroke talk.

A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. It is a medical emergency and prompt treatment is essential as the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK and the single most common cause of severe disability. Every year over 150,000 people have a stroke and it is the third largest cause of death, after heart disease and cancer.

Smoking, being overweight, lack of exercise and a poor diet are also risk factors for stroke. Also, conditions that affect the circulation of the blood, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) and diabetes, increase your risk of having a stroke.

The Trust’s Stroke Unit at Fairfield General is one of two specialist Primary Care Stroke Centres which form a co-ordinated approach to stroke care across Greater Manchester.

Together with Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (the Comprehensive Stroke Centre), the two PSCs offer the very specialist elements of stroke care such as thrombolysis treatments. This is one of the biggest advances in minimising disability caused by stroke. The Trust also provides District Stroke Centres on two of its other sites at North Manchester General Hospital and The Royal Oldham Hospital.

Dr Kawafi, Consultant Stroke Physician at Fairfield General Hospital, who will be giving the talk, will explain about Stroke, the services and treatments available, and about lifestyle measures that can be taken to prevent strokes and mini-strokes.

He said: “Stroke is an acute medical emergency, if you have any of the FAST symptoms you need to ring 999 because Time is Brain; the sooner we see you the sooner we can give you the clot busting treatment called thrombolysis.” 

FACIAL weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?

ARM weakness: Can the person raise both arms?

SPEECH problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?

TIME to call 999.

If a person fails any of these tests, 999 should be called immediately.

The event is free and is one of a series of ‘Medicine for Members’ events arranged to give the public and the Trust’s public members a greater insight into their local hospital and services.

To book a place a on the free Stroke Talk at the Education Centre at Fairfield General Hospital in Bury on Friday 22nd March, from 2 - 3 pm contact on 01706 517302 or email ft.membership@pat.nhs.uk