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In a first for the country, Netcare 911 in KwaZulu-Natal has won a gold award in the World Stroke Organisation’s (WSO) Emergency Medical Services Angels Awards.

“Ensuring quality standards in pre-hospital care is an essential component of stroke management for improving survival rates and quality of life outcomes,” says Zasskia Wiese Netcare’s national stroke programme coordinator.

Members of Netcare 911's team in KwaZulu-Natal, which has been recognised with a gold emergency medical services Angels Award for stroke care.

 

“We congratulate the Netcare 911 KwaZulu-Natal team for leading the way in emergency medical services [EMS] care for stroke patients and consistently reporting stroke data to the international RES-Q quality of stroke care registry, as this gold EMS Angels Award recognises,” she says. Gary Paul, head of Netcare 911’s coastal operations, says public awareness of the signs of stroke as a medical emergency is the first step towards improving outcomes for South Africans affected by strokes. “There is a simple way to remember how to recognise a stroke and what to do: BE FAST,” he says: B is for Balance: difficulty in maintaining balance E is for Eyes: changes in vision F is for Face drooping A is for Arm weakness S is for Speech: difficulty talking T is for Time to get help immediately – every second counts “This is lifesaving awareness because stroke is extremely time sensitive. Our team has worked hard to keep response times and transit time to a stroke-ready facility as short as possible because lives hang in the balance,” Paul says. “Being acknowledged with this first EMS Angels Award for South Africa means a great deal to us, and we would like to thank every member of the team for their role in earning this accolade.

 

“We are most grateful to the management of Netcare 911 and the Netcare Group for prioritising stroke systems and expertise, encompassing both pre-hospital and in-hospital care working hand in glove for the benefit of our patients,” he says.

In any medical emergency, including suspected strokes, Netcare 911 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on 082 911. Or, to save time when seconds count, download the Netcare App now.

The emergency call and geolocation functions assist in minimising response times by connecting callers and ensuring accurate location – even in remote areas or if the caller doesn’t know the address. The app also includes a Netcare 911 60-second call back option and detailed resource tracking, allowing users to follow the ambulance or response vehicles.

Ends

Notes to editor 
Looking for a medical appointment? Netcare appointmed™ will make appointments for YOU with specialists practising at Netcare hospitals, GPs and dentists at Netcare Medicross medical and dental centres, and specialists at Netcare Akeso mental health facilities. Simply request an appointment online at www.netcare.co.za/Request-a-medical-appointment or phone Netcare appointmed™  on 0860 555 565, Mondays to Fridays between 08:00 and 17:00.

To find out more about the services offered through Netcare hospitals and other of the Group’s facilities, please visit www.netcare.co.za or contact the Netcare customer service centre either by email at [email protected] or phone 0860 NETCARE (0860 638 2273). Note that the centre operates Mondays to Fridays from 08:00 to 16:00.

For media enquiries, contact MNA at the contact details listed below.

Issued by:  MNA on behalf of Netcare 911
For media enquiries contact:   Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville or Estene Lotriet-Vorster
Telephone:   (011) 469 3016
Email:   [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]