A NHS worker suffered a stroke at work but her life was saved by quick thinking colleagues.

Caroline Swan was supposed to have a day off when she displayed symptoms at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Friday, January 26.

The Health Care Support Worker is based on a stroke rehabilitation ward, so one of her colleagues quickly recognised the signs and knew exactly what to do.

Sharon Woods, Charge Nurse on Ward 56, was the one who spotted something wasn’t right and said: “Caroline was sitting in a chair and just staring.

“When I asked her if she was OK she couldn’t speak. There and then I knew.”

Calling ahead to make sure the emergency stroke team was ready, Sharon got Caroline on to a trolley and ran to A&E.

Her quick thinking meant Caroline received the interventions she needed within 45 minutes.

This meant within two hours Caroline’s speech was beginning to return, and just days later she was feeling better.

Now she is back at home in Thornliebank with her husband Alan and planning to return to work, so she can help others on their rehabilitation journey following a stroke.

Caroline said: “Sharon saved my life – it’s as simple as that.

“I was coming out of a room and couldn’t get my glove off.

“I just kept staring at it and thinking ‘something’s wrong’.

“I can vaguely remember being put on a trolley, going through corridors, and then going for a scan. I remember then thinking something was really wrong.

“It honestly feels like my stars were aligned that day.

“I wasn’t even meant to be working, then Sharon found me really quickly and got me the help I needed.

“Because of her and the rest of the team who took care of me, I recovered really well.

“I’ve lost my sense of taste, and I need to wear a monitor, but I’m feeling well and hoping to be back at work soon.

“I’ll never be able to thank them enough for what they did for me.”

Health services across the country are under considerable pressure, and staff are working hard every way to give patients the best possible care, but seeing that care at first hand was something Caroline will always remember.

“The care I received was just amazing,” she said. “I thought it would be weird, given that I worked with everyone and I know them so well, but they were brilliant.

“They just treated me like any other patient and looked after me really well. Everyone was so nice, and I felt so safe. I can’t thank them enough.”

To remember the signs of stroke, all you need to do is say FAST. The FAST acronym (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is a test to quickly identify if someone is having a stroke.

Face weakness: Can the person smile?

Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms?

Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?

Time to call 999: if you see any of these signs.