A woman who was rushed for emergency treatment following a stroke is thanking the “brilliant staff’’ at the West Cumberland Hospital.

Betty Little, 75, said there weren’t any signs she was about to have a stroke, but sitting at home on the evening of Saturday, October 29 felt herself just staring at the carpet, unable to form her words.

Her husband Gordon, realising what was happening, immediately called an ambulance. He was told there was a shortage of vehicles.

“Gordon told them he knew I was having a stroke and that time was of the essence,’’ said Betty, of Pica Road, Distington.

When an ambulance eventually arrived, the paramedic apologised to him saying he would have to leave as someone was having a heart attack. Gordon rang for another ambulance and one arrived within 20 minutes.

Betty was then taken to the WCH where staff were waiting to treat her.

“As soon as I arrived at the hospital I was taken for a brain scan.

“The staff were unbelievable.’’

It was while in A&E Betty realised she couldn’t feel her legs, arm or face. “I couldn’t understand why they were asking me to smile,’’ she said. She was given a powerful drug and then taken to the ward to recover.

The next morning Betty woke up and felt ‘pins and needles’ in her legs, as her limbs began to regain feeling.

She continues to be stunned by her recovery, having been released from hospital on Wednesday, November 2, just days after being admitted.

She is supporting our SOS campaign and felt so strongly about her “excellent’’ treatment she wanted to speak out. “Why are they suggesting closing the emergency stroke unit? Without the staff there in Whitehaven to treat me immediately, the result of my stroke might have been very different.’’

She thanked the staff, including Dr Olu Orugun, for their dedication.

“Thank you does not seem adequate for the attention I received from every member of staff,’’ Betty said.

“When Gordon came to visit me the morning after I was admitted, the staff told him: “You’ve got your wife back.’’