NHS England’s Act FAST stroke campaign launches on 4 November.

The campaign increases knowledge of the signs of a stroke and encourages people to dial 999 immediately in response to any sign – even if it doesn’t seem like much.

The new campaign builds on the success of the previous Act FAST campaign using an updated call to action: ‘Face or Arm or Speech, at the first sign, it’s Time to call 999’. The campaign will run in England, with adverts across TV, TV on demand, radio, social media, national press and ethnic minority TV and radio stations.  The campaign also includes specific communications for multicultural and disabled audiences.

The Act FAST campaign is an established tool in helping to ensure the public recognise the symptoms of a stroke and call 999 as early as possible. This enables patients to be directed to specialist acute stroke centres, access treatments that give them the best chance of recovery and ensures the most effective use of NHS resources.