Dialling 999 as soon as first stroke symptom occurs is vital, says NHS

Dialling 999 as soon as stroke symptoms occur is crucial, an NHS England campaign is to stress as data reveals people wait almost an hour and a half on average before making an emergency call.

- Nicola Davis

About 100,000 people in the UK have a stroke each year. The potentially life-threatening condition occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Recent data suggests that the number could increase to 151,000 a year by 2035.

Rapid treatment is crucial, both for survival and for reducing the chance of long-term problems such as paralysis, memory loss and difficulties in communication. However, figures have revealed the median time between first symptom and a 999 call being made is 88 minutes.

The data has been released by NHS England as part of a campaign to encourage people to act quickly should they see someone struggling to smile, having difficulties raising an arm, or slurring their speech.