ROYAL Bournemouth Hospital has introduced a new system that will save time and the lives of stroke victims.
The hospital is the second hospital in the country with the new telemedicine system. Patients who suffer from a severe stroke can be treated from their homes, saving the time it would take for the doctors to reach them.
With strokes time is important as for every minute that passes two million more nerve cells die in the brain therefore the earlier the patient is treated, the better.
The on-call stroke doctor uses a laptop and a £30,000 camera system to see and communicate with a patient. The system also allows him to scan the patient’s brain.
Yesterday the Department of Health launched a three year campaign to promote public awareness about strokes. In the UK, strokes are the third leading cause of death and the largest cause of disability in adults.
The public will be informed about Face, Arm, Speech and Time, F.A.S.T. This will help people to recognise the symptoms of strokes and realise the urgency needed in treatment.
Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, said:
"Despite a big improvement in services, stroke still kills over 67,000 people in the UK each year and leaves thousands more disabled. In many cases, death or disability from stroke can be avoided.
"This campaign will help make sure stroke victims and the people around them are able to recognise the signs and the need for fast emergency treatment."
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