Stroke survivors are "being put at extreme risk by ambulance delays", a health charity warned.
Phil Woodford, originally from Hoylake, was "terrified" when he realised why "water was coming out my mouth out one side". After stumbling inside, slurring his words and blinking to clear a sensation like someone shining a torch in his eye, he called North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).
Their response six years ago was fast. Within 15 minutes, paramedics arrived at his home near Preston, Lancashire, and took him to Royal Preston Hospital, despite his symptoms having cleared. Doctors diagnosed the dad of two with a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) - also called a mini-stroke - at the age of 45.
