New TV adverts launched for Act FAST campaign

Two new TV adverts are airing throughout March 2014 as part of the government's award-winning Act FAST campaign.

The ads show people the signs and symptoms they should look for when identifying someone suffering from a stroke. It follows the template of previous commercials, but features new actors and scenarios.

Once again, the ads emphasise the FAST acronym, which encourages people to look for facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems before it is time to call 999. This campaign has been running since 2009 and has proven a significant success.

In addition to the TV campaign, a separate strand of activity aims to convey these messages specifically towards the black and minority ethnic community, who are at an increased risk of suffering a stroke.

Professor Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said: "This Act FAST campaign can help save lives. Stroke is a treatable condition and continues to be the third leading cause of death in England and the largest cause of adult disability."

Every year, more than 150,000 people suffer a stroke, with only heart disease and cancer killing more frequently.