Record numbers of stroke patients are opting to go to the emergency room themselves instead of waiting for an ambulance, according to the Stroke Association. The organization is urging people to dial 999 first, emphasizing that this quick action could determine whether a patient walks out of the hospital or ends up in a wheelchair. More than a quarter of individuals suffering from a stroke are now self-transporting to hospitals due to prolonged ambulance response times over the past ten years.
The Stroke Association has noted that response times are gradually improving, and paramedics are now equipped with specialized tools to provide treatment while en route to the hospital. They are also knowledgeable about which hospitals have specialized stroke units and can directly transport patients there.
Despite recent reports of individuals waiting hours for ambulance assistance after experiencing a suspected stroke, Professor Deb Lowe, the medical director of the Stroke Association, emphasized the importance of calling 999 immediately when stroke symptoms are present. The organization supports the NHS’s Fast campaign, which highlights common stroke symptoms such as facial drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech as indicators to seek immediate medical help.
A stroke, caused by the interruption of blood flow to the brain, results in the death of approximately 1.9 million brain cells per minute. Prompt medical intervention is crucial to enhance survival chances and reduce the risk of long-term disabilities that could affect movement, vision, speech, and swallowing abilities.
An analysis conducted by the Stroke Association revealed that every 22 minutes, a stroke patient in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland chooses to go to the emergency department independently rather than via ambulance. The number of patients making their own way to the hospital has reached its highest point since the stroke audit inception over a decade ago, increasing from 19.4% in 2020/21 to 26.8% in 2024/25.
Ensuring direct access to hospitals with specialized stroke units improves the likelihood of receiving rapid treatment, including essential procedures like thrombectomy to remove blood clots. Pre-arrival brain scans and immediate admission to acute stroke units further enhance the chances of survival.
Despite concerns about prolonged ambulance waits, Professor Lowe highlighted the necessity of timely treatment for stroke patients, as the UK’s aging population is expected to lead to a 50% rise in stroke cases by 2035. Utilizing technologies like prehospital video triage can aid in diagnosing strokes en route to specialized stroke units, ultimately determining whether a patient recovers to walk out of the hospital or faces mobility challenges.