Who we are and where to find us

Act F.A.S.T. is a national campaign aimed at helping people to recognise the signs of stroke, and act quickly to save lives and reduce the damage caused.

A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

So recognising the signs and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial.

Quick diagnosis of stroke is important to understanding the cause, assessing the damage and providing the right medical treatment immediately.

The sooner somebody who has had a stroke gets the right medical attention, the more of their brain might be saved and the better their chances of a good recovery. So minutes really do matter.

The F.A.S.T test

F: Face; Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?

A: Arms: Can they raise both arms and keep them there?

S: Speech: Is their speech slurred?

T: Time to call 999 if you see any single one of these signs

If the person has failed any of these tests, dial 999 for an ambulance immediately so they can be taken to hospital for urgent treatment. Paramedics and ambulance staff are trained to assess patients with suspected stroke and get them to hospital quickly.

East

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford) 

Main switchboard on 01392 411611

Contact Clyst Ward (Acute Stroke Unit) on 01392 402507

Contact Yealm Ward (Stroke Rehabilitation) 01392 404535

North

North Devon District Hospital 

Main switchboard on 01271 322577

Staples Ward (Stroke Unit): 01271 311591 and ask for Staples Ward (Stroke Unit)

Your healthcare professional will advise where your appointment will take place. Your appointment may take place at one of our outpatient clinics situated within our main hospital sites or within the community.

Eastern services

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford) 

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford)

Barrack Road

Exeter

EX2 5DW

• Acute Stroke Unit - Clyst Ward (Level 2, Area E)
• Stroke Rehabilitation - Yealm Ward (Level 2, Area E)

Northern Services

North Devon District Hospital 

North Devon District Hospital

Raleigh Park

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 4JB

Staples Ward (Stroke Unit) is on level 5 of North Devon District Hospital.

North

The multidisciplinary team consists of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, and care managers. 

East

• Dr Susie Harris
• Dr Paul Mudd

Treatment depends on the type of stroke you have, including which part of the brain was affected and what caused it.

Strokes are usually treated with medication. This includes medicines to prevent and dissolve blood clots, reduce blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels.

In some cases, procedures may be required to remove blood clots. Surgery may also be required to treat brain swelling and reduce the risk of further bleeding if this was the cause of your stroke.

We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital. 

We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.

Find out more

We have a wide range of videos which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital. 

Find out more

Stroke is a very common disease. Many strokes are caused by high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes. However, these factors do not explain all strokes and getting involved in research can play a valuable part in developing our knowledge of stroke. Research can help improve services, care and treatments. It can also play a part in identifying those at risk of illness and trying to prevent illness and identify the best use of resources. Northern Devon Healthcare Trust recruits appropriate patients into current research studies with consent.

Contact Details
If you would like more information please contact:  ndht.research@nhs.net

Find out more about what a typical patient journey could look like with us.