Petition to update stroke awareness campaign

A Falkirk councillor is aiming to change Scotland's stroke awareness guidance.

Councillor James Bundy's father Tony died after his stroke was not detected in time, due to his symptoms falling out with the current FAST criteria. Tony's son is now campaigning for changes to Scotland's stroke awareness guidelines.

After successfully calling on the Scottish Government to review stroke guidelines, the Bundy family have launched a petition which calls on the Scottish Government to immediately update Scotland’s stroke awareness campaign from FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) to BE FAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time). This campaign follows the death of Tony Bundy, aged 53-years-old, following a stroke which was not detected on time due to his symptoms being out with the FAST criteria.

In June 2023, Tony Bundy became seriously unwell whilst shopping in Glasgow. He lost the ability to stand, struggled to focus with his eyes, suffered cold sweats, and was vomiting constantly. An ambulance was called but was not initially despatched. One reason for this was that Tony did not suffer any FAST symptoms, meaning a stroke was ruled out. With Tony not improving, an ambulance was finally sent. Further FAST tests were carried out by different medical staff. Yet again, as Tony had no FAST symptoms, a stroke was ruled out. This resulted in Tony being left in an A&E corridor for over 5 and a half hours before his fatal stroke struck.

Commenting on the launch of their new petition, Cllr James Bundy, said:

“My Dad’s life was ended prematurely. By adding two letters to Scotland’s stroke awareness campaign, we can detect more strokes earlier. This simple step will save lives.

“To get this change, we need your support. We need to show the Scottish Government that there is public support for BE FAST. You can show your support by signing and sharing our petition.”

Also commenting is Selena Bundy, wife of Tony Bundy, who said:

“When Tony fell seriously unwell, I was aware of the FAST campaign. Naively, I thought a drooped face, arms struggling to be raised, and slurred speech, were the only symptoms of stroke. Whilst extremely worried that Tony was unwell, I took some comfort that the medics ruled out stroke. How false this comfort was.

“If I was aware that there were more symptoms of stroke, I would have been much more vocal for Tony to get the tests he needed. But I wasn’t vocal, and I feel much pain and regret. This will never leave me.

“I don’t want other families in Scotland going through the pain my family and I are suffering. If people knew more symptoms of stroke, they would know what to do when their loved one fell ill. If the test used to detect strokes was broader, more strokes would be detected earlier by medical staff.

“By adding two simple letters to Scotland’s stroke awareness campaign, we can save lives. Help make this simple, life-saving change by signing our BE FAST petition today.”