About the Authors

Darren Flynn

darren.flynn@ncl.ac.uk

Affiliation Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Gary A. Ford

Affiliation Institute for Ageing and Health (Stroke Research Group), Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Helen Rodgers

Affiliation Institute for Ageing and Health (Stroke Research Group), Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Christopher Price

Affiliation Wansbeck General Hospital, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Ashington, United Kingdom

Nick Steen

Affiliation Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Richard G. Thomson

Affiliation Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Competing Interests

The authors have read the journal's policy and have the following conflicts - DF, GAF, HR, CP and RGT have been involved in developing a computerised decision aid for thrombolytic treatment in acute stroke care. GAF has received personal remuneration for educational and advisory work from Boehringer Ingelheim (manufacturer of Alteplase) and Lundbeck. GAF's previous institution has received research grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, and honoraria from Lundbeck for stroke-related activities. GAF developed the Face Arm Speech Test for use by ambulance paramedics in England. This does not alter their adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Author Contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: GAF RGT HR DF. Analyzed the data: NS DF. Wrote the paper: DF GAF RGT CP HR NS. Prepared the figures and tables: DF NS.