Stroke services

What is a stroke?

Strokes are a medical emergency and it is vital that hospital treatment is received immediately. The longer it is left before a person receives medical attention, the greater the risk of long-term neurological damage (brain damage).

A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. As a result, the brain tissue is damaged.

We use the word FAST to remember the main symptoms of stroke which are Face-Arms-Speech-Time.

• Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
• Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
• Speech – is their speech slurred or garbled?
• Time – time to call 999 if you see any one of these signs.

The Royal Free London works within the pan-London stroke model. We provide acute in-patient stroke care, TIA clinics and stroke follow up clinics at both Barnet Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital. We also provide rehabilitation at Chase Farm Hospital and Edgware Community Hospital.

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