June is Stroke Awareness Month, and Brightshores Health System is encouraging everyone in our community to learn the signs of stroke and understand the importance of rapid emergency response. With stroke, every minute counts — and early recognition can save lives.
“Time is brain — that’s a phrase we live by in stroke care,” says Dr. Young, Neurologist at Brightshores Owen Sound Hospital, the District Stroke Centre for Grey and Bruce counties. “The faster someone receives treatment, the better their chances of recovery and reduced disability.”
As the region’s District Stroke Centre, Brightshores Owen Sound Hospital provides a full range of specialized services:
• Emergency Stroke Care: Rapid diagnosis and treatment using the latest technology, including Rapid AI brain imaging and clot-busting medication when needed.
• Stroke Prevention Clinic: Assessment and follow-up for patients after a stroke or TIA to reduce the risk of recurrence through preventative education.
• Acute Stroke Unit: In-hospital care by a specialized team of stroke experts for those requiring close monitoring and treatment.
• Inpatient Rehabilitation: Therapy-focused care to help patients regain independence before returning home.
• Community Stroke Rehab: Home-based therapy and support following hospital discharge, focused on ongoing recovery.
Brightshores urges the public to remember the signs of stroke using the F.A.S.T. acronym:
• F – Face: Is it drooping?
• A – Arms: Can both arms be raised?
• S – Speech: Is it slurred or jumbled?
• T – Time: Call 911 immediately.
You should not drive yourself or someone else to the hospital when stroke symptoms appear. Paramedics are trained to identify stroke, and by calling 911, they will respond and provide care while transporting patients directly to the stroke centre.
“We’re equipped with the tools, expertise, and people needed to act quickly and effectively,” says Ryan Turner, Manager, Rehab & Stroke “Our teams provide ongoing care throughout the stroke continuum back into their community and beyond. Recognizing the signs of FAST and calling 911 right away makes all the difference.”
Up to 80% of premature strokes are preventable with healthy habits such as eating well, staying active, quitting smoking, and managing blood pressure.
Follow Brightshores on social media for stroke education and prevention tips shared throughout June.
For more information on stroke services at Brightshores or to learn how to reduce your risk, visit: www.brightshores.ca/stroke-centre
Media Contact:
Alex Madill, Communications Specialist
519.376.2121 x2220 | ahmadill@brightshores.ca
About Brightshores Health System
Brightshores is a regional health system that operates six hospitals in one of the largest geographic regions in Ontario. Our dedicated team of 2,100 staff+, 250 physicians and 1000+ volunteers serve a rural region that is home to 175,000 residents, thousands of seasonal residents and sees more than two million annual short-stay visitors. We offer a full range of services across Grey and Bruce counties, including 24/7 emergency care at each hospital site. As a regional centre, we provide specialized care for cancer, stroke, kidney disease, and more, ensuring patients receive the expert treatment they need close to home. Our new Wellness & Recovery Centre is recognized provincially for its innovation and leadership in mental health and addiction care. Brightshores is committed to build healthier communities one patient at a time. Learn more at www.brightshores.ca