A BRADFORD stroke victim who recovered quickly after doctors treated him in record time is backing a charity's new campaign to help save more lives.
The life-threatening 5cm clot in Keith Robertshaw's brain in July 2013 was the biggest doctors at at Bradford Royal Infirmary had seen, but he was given a wonder drug just 22 minutes after he got through A&Es doors - halving the national average time taken at stroke treatment centres of excellence.
Now Mr Robertshaw, 72, from Allerton, is recovering and backing a new initiative by the Stroke Association to get more people familiar with signs of a stroke, known as the FAST Test.
It identifies the three most common symptoms of a stroke or mini-stroke and the right action to take.
FAST stands for Face - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped? Arm weakness - can the person raise both arms? Speech problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? And finally, Time to call 999.
Mr Robertshaw and his family believe the FAST Test made a huge impact on his recovery and that swift action from his wife, Rita, meant he got the treatment he needed quickly.
The couple were preparing to go out for the day and Mr Robertshaw had gone to set the house alarm when his wife noticed he was just pointing at the keypad looking blank. Realising things were not right she immediately rang 999.
The speedy treatment meant he quickly got movement back in his right arm, although he has been left with short term memory loss, his taste has been affected and he can sometimes struggle to find the right words.
Mrs Robertshaw said: "Having been married for 42 years, you know when something is wrong. Although Keith didnt show the most common symptoms of stroke, I was well aware of the FAST adverts and knew to call 999.
"Keith is now doing really well and if we hadnt acted so quickly, the effects of his stroke could have been so much worse. Id tell anyone who thinks they may be having a stroke to act FAST and get help immediately."
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Stroke survivor backs FAST response campaign after speedy treatment at BRI