This petition springs from personal grief and a firm belief that change is needed. In June 2023, Tony Bundy passed away from a stroke that was not detected early enough. Despite being seriously unwell, his symptoms did not match the limited parameters of the current FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) test. He had lost his balance, he struggled to focus with his eyes, he suffered cold sweats, and he constantly vomited. Tragically, due to the narrow focus of the FAST test, he was left in an A&E corridor for over five and a half hours. His stroke was undiagnosed until it was too late.

Early detection could be improved by updating Scotland's public health campaign to BE FAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time). By simply incorporating the symptoms of balance and eyesight into the existing test, we can make a life-saving difference. The new slogan "#BEFAST - Two Extra Letters. Countless lives saved" encapsulates this shift from FAST to BE FAST, a minor linguistic change with the potential for a dramatic reduction in delayed stroke detection. 

As the petitioners, we urge for an immediate update in Scotland's stroke awareness campaign. Let’s honour the countless lives already tragically lost and the ones who are currently going undiagnosed by providing a more comprehensive diagnostic tool for early stroke detection. The transition from FAST to BE FAST is not just a change - it's a lifesaving upgrade that we desperately need to implement. Please, sign this petition and push for the amendments needed to save countless lives in Scotland.