Airedale stroke care praised by NHS

3:33am Thursday 15th May 2008

"It has given me a quality of life I would not have had."

These are the words of the first stroke patient to be treated with the clot-busting drug thrombolysis at Airedale Hospital.

Janet Benzie, 62, of Long Preston, suffered a life-threatening stroke last Thursday but just a week later she is making an excellent recovery and is ready to be discharged from hospital.

Her husband Robin is key to his wife's quick recovery, as he spotted the signs of a stroke as soon as they happened and called 999.

Mrs Benzie said: "I was just at home getting my lunch when my eyes started going a bit peculiar.

"Then I started getting a pain in my neck and my arm started going peculiar."

She called for her husband, who quickly recognised the stroke symptoms, and called for an ambulance, which arrived within minutes.

"The ambulance crew was marvellous," said Mrs Benzie. "They knew time was of the essence. The team in the hospital were absolutely super efficient, explaining things all along - that I was going for a scan and how they were going to administer the drug."

After spending 48 hours in critical care, she was moved to the stroke unit on ward five.

"It has been amazing, the physio, occupational health, the nursing staff, doctors, everyone has told me what is going on and what to expect."

Mrs Benzie knows she was lucky her husband recognised the symptoms and urged others who may find themselves with stroke symptoms to call for an ambulance immediately.

"This treatment has definitely made a difference," she said. "When I go home I know I will have a better quality of life because of it."

To find out more about how to recognise the symptoms of stroke and how to prevent stroke visit stroke.org.uk.

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