Written question WQ96612
- Asked by
- Darren MillarConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
Does the Welsh Government intend to run a renewed Act FAST campaign in Wales before the end of this Senedd?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
In 2021 we published the Quality Statement for Stroke setting out our aim for people of all ages to have the lowest possible risk of having a stroke, and, when it does occur, to have an excellent chance of surviving and returning to independence as quickly as possible. This aim remains.
NHS organisations in Wales are accountable for implementing the Quality Statement and are supported by NHS Wales Performance and Improvement to do this. The NHS is committed to the Act FAST campaign, or Cam NESA in Welsh, and Welsh Government will continue to support partners across the NHS to work together to seek opportunities to run this campaign in collaboration with the Stroke Association Cymru.
We will also continue to work closely with NHS England and have access to the new resources they developed for the 2024 FAST campaign. This collaboration is essential to ensure consistent messaging to the public about acting FAST and calling 999 if there are any signs and symptoms of stroke. NHS England’s FAST advertising campaign had some cross over into Wales.
When a stroke happens, time saves lives, prevents, and reduces disability. I therefore appreciate the importance of raising public awareness of the symptoms of stroke and the role of this campaign.