NHS data shows that for 2023-24, of 41,327 patients with a recorded time of symptom onset, the average time between first symptom and a 999 call being made was 88 minutes.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: ‘This campaign is so important – greater awareness of the need to act fast and dial 999 could help save and protect many more lives, as we know that earlier recognition of symptoms and immediate action to call 999 can enable faster access to specialist treatment and the best chance of reducing long-term effects of a stroke.'

Act FAST urges the public to call 999 immediately if anyone experiences one of the three common symptoms including struggling to smile (Face) or raise an arm (Arms), or slurring their words (Speech).   

The analysis was published by the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme at King's College London and came as new polling of 2,001 adults in England found that 57% of respondents believed you should have two to three symptoms of a stroke before calling 999, despite just one being a sign of a medical emergency.  

Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) said they would not call 999 as their first course of action if they noticed someone was suddenly struggling to smile.    

Around 100,000 people have a stroke each year in the UK. Strokes remain the fourth single leading cause of death in the UK, with 38,000 stroke-related deaths each year.