A charity warns that more and more stroke victims are taking themselves to the emergency room instead of waiting for an ambulance to put themselves in danger.
This is because of concerns about waiting for an ambulance for a long time.
But stroke patients who seek help through 999 have a better chance of getting professional help, the Stroke Association says.
The charity acknowledges concerns about ambulance waiting times, but it remains “the fastest way to get the best and most effective stroke treatment and care.”
Strokes occur when a portion of the brain’s blood supply is cut off and classified as a medical emergency.
If certain therapies are delivered promptly, the risk of death and long-term disability is risk.
But new analysis by the Stroke Association shows that stroke patients lead to A&E on their own rather than taking an ambulance to England, Wales and Northern Ireland every 22 minutes.
Overall, 26.8% of stroke patients (about 23,491) made their own arrangements in 2024/25, according to Sentinel STROKE National Audit Program.
The charity acknowledges concerns about ambulance waiting times, but says it remains the most effective way to care (Peter Byrne/PA)
This is the highest number since the stroke review began more than a decade ago.
This figure has been steadily rising over the past few years, reaching just 19.4% in 2020/21.
The Stroke Association encourages people to call 999 instead of entering A&E on their own, saying it is the fastest way to get professional stroke treatments.
Medical staff know which units are best for emergency stroke care – unavailable in all hospitals.
Ensuring patients reach these specialist hubs means they are more likely to enter stroke treatment in time, including surgery to remove blood clots, which lead to a stroke (called thrombectomy or rapid orbital brain scan) that can be requested before the ambulance arrives at the hospital.
They can also go directly to the acute stroke unit, which has been shown to improve patient survival odds and lead to better recovery for stroke victims.
The charity highlights the timely treatment for increasing patients’ chances of stroke and minimizing the chances of brain damage, which may prevent stroke survivors from moving, looking, talking or swallowing.
Professor Deb Lowe, medical director of the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke is a medical emergency, so anyone experiencing symptoms should call 999 and wait for an ambulance.
“We have long supported the NHS’ rapid exercise, which highlights the most common symptoms of stroke – sagging faces, weak arm, and vague speech – and it’s time to call 999.
Urge stroke patients to call 999 and wait for an ambulance (Jeff Moore/PA Wire)
“Even if the undeniable pressure the NHS encounters, we firmly support these recommendations because it is the best way to get fast and evidence-based care.”
She added: “The UK population is aging rapidly and we expect the number of strokes to increase by 50% annually to 151,000 by 2035.
“Everyone affected by a stroke is crucial to get the treatment you need as soon as possible.
“We do understand the concerns about long-term ambulance waiting, but in most cases it remains the fastest and most effective way to get the best treatment and stroke.
“This is especially relevant when supported by technologies such as prehospital video classification and can help diagnose strokes entering the professional stroke unit.
“At the right place, quick and effective treatment can make a difference between getting out of the hospital or sitting in a wheelchair.”
The charity noted that in July, the average ambulance response time for Class 2 phone calls, including stroke, was 28 minutes and 40 seconds, within the current 30-minute target.
It said the handover time of ambulances — how long patients wait in ambulances before being taken to hospital — has been decreasing in recent months, although the average remains above the 15-minute target.
