In October last year, Pam Jones started her normal day volunteering at Vinnies.
But it quickly became a nightmare for the usually active 72 year-old.
Just after 9am that day, Pam started experiencing symptoms of a stroke.
Instead of being transferred to Sydney to receive care, as would previously be the case, she was able to receive life-saving treatment immediately at Deniliquin Hospital using the NSW Telestroke Service.
In honour of National Stroke Week 2022, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District Telestroke Service team launched a series of videos on Monday, sharing local stories from patients and practitioner experiences of the service.
Pam’s story is one of those being used to highlight the importance of getting help fast.
Deniliquin is one of 23 sites using the Telestroke service across NSW, which gives rural and remote communities access to expert stroke clinicians.
While Pam doesn’t remember anything after 9am on the day of her stroke, her husband Terry remembers it well.
“I was a normal active person, and within five minutes I was not,” Pam said.
An ambulance was called and Pam was taken to Deniliquin Hospital, where she was triaged by Dr Ben James on site.
Telestroke was called soon after, and Professor Ken Butcher conducted a virtual assessment and treatment was recommended.
“I’ve been told that with a stroke, if you can get it within three hours you have a chance,” Terry said.
“Well they were there in three quarters of an hour and we had Professor Butcher, who is supposed to be the number one guy, basically at the bedside within half an hour.”
Pam’s stroke was caused by a blood clot blocking the major artery to the left side of her brain, which controls her speech.
The clot busting therapy Prof Butcher suggested as treatment was the first ever conducted at the Deniliquin Hospital’s emergency department.
Dr James said Telestroke Services enable doctors to make an assessment in a really quick time-frame, to ensure the best possible outcome.
“If there is a stroke, we’re able to now make sure you get the best functional outcome, in a very quick period of time,” he said.
“We would much rather see people in the early phase when they first realise they are not speaking properly or their left arm’s a bit droopy — that’s when I want to see the patients in the community come straight away.”
To learn more about Pam and Terry’s story, or for more information on the Telestroke Service, go to www.health.nsw.gov.au/virtualcare/Pages/telestroke.aspx.
If you think you are having a stroke, call 000 immediately for assistance.