The Department of Health’s Act F.A.S.T. campaign has led to an increase of more than half (55.5%) in stroke calls to 999.
New research published today also showed that 84% of the public remember the campaign and its graphic depiction of stroke spreading like fire in the brain.
The Act F.A.S.T. campaign launched in February this year contained hard-hitting imagery to highlight the visible signs of stroke and encourage people to call 999 as soon as possible.
Advertising to support the Act F.A.S.T campaign will recommence today. The ongoing campaign is designed to inform the public about FAST – Face, Arm, Speech, Time to call 999. FAST is a simple test to help people to recognise the signs of stroke and understand the importance of emergency treatment. The faster a stroke patient receives treatment, the better their chances are of surviving and reducing long-term disability.
Responding to the research, Joe Korner, Director of External Communications at the Stroke Association said: “The FAST adverts have really made an impact - the more people that recognise stroke symptoms and get emergency treatment the better."