New rehabilitation service launched for stroke patients

Dr Lynn Hampson

A new rehabilitation service for stroke patients in Rochdale Borough is being rolled out to help reduce post-stroke disabilities.

With strokes one of the top five causes of premature adult deaths in the borough, NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (NHS HMR CCG) is rolling out the new service to support stroke patients medically and socially at home and in the community for as long as they need it.

And it is estimated that between 350 and 450 stroke patients per year will benefit from the service.

Dr Lynn Hampson, NHS HMR CCG clinical lead, said: “Last year more than 350 patients from Rochdale Borough were admitted to hospital with a stroke. Strokes are the largest single cause of disability in the UK but by providing timely, specialist rehabilitation the chances of disability are significantly reduced.”

The new service brings together Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, the Stroke Association and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, in providing an Early Supported Discharge (ESD) and Community Rehabilitation Service (CRS) for stroke survivors.

Rochdale-based Dr Hampson added: “The new ESD service offers physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, specialist nursing and psychological assistance appropriate to each stroke patient, six days a week.

When discharged from hospital, rehabilitation continues at home with patients and therapists setting and reaching goals, support for patients and their families, plus regular post-stroke health checks.”

The Stroke Association’s Angela Walkden added: “Stroke survivors tell us they need support not just immediately after their stroke, but as they recover and regain a life after stroke. This service is a fantastic example of experts from health and social care, and the third sector, working closely together to support stroke survivors in making their best possible recovery.”

Stella Powell, Specialist Practitioner in Stroke from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, explained: “The Early Supported Discharge team works closely with the stroke unit at the hospital to plan and manage patients’ care when they are ready to return home. Once safely discharged from hospital, a member of the team will contact them at home within 24 hours. The team will then provide the patient with an intense rehabilitation programme for up to eight weeks tailored to the patient’s individual needs. This helps them to become more independent and reach their personal goals.”

Dr Robert Namushi, Consultant Physician Stroke at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, added: “In line with Healthy Futures, which led the redesign and improvement of health services in the North East sector of Greater Manchester, this investment by NHS HMR CCG will aim to deliver an excellent rehabilitation service for patients in their own homes and is welcomed by both the acute stroke service and rehabilitation services within the community. With the help of the Early Supported Discharge Team and the Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Team, patients will benefit from intensive rehabilitation within their own homes, six days a week.”