Community stroke services
There are two teams which come under the umbrella of the community stroke service. These are:
- The stroke discharge team
- The community stroke team
The stroke discharge team helps to organise care for people who are ready to come out of hospital following a stroke but who need extra support to enable them to do so. Once patients are home the team will organise a rehabilitation package that continues the therapy already received while the patient has been in hospital.
The community stroke team organises rehabilitation programmes for patients who have suffered a stroke but who do not need support leaving hospital.
Stroke Discharge
The stroke discharge team helps to organise a supported transfer of care from hospital to home. This may include preparing your home for your return or organising any care you may need when you leave hospital.
When you are at home, the team will work together to develop a rehabilitation programme to fit your own needs.
The rehabilitation programme and any goals set will progress the therapy that you have already received on the hospital ward. We aim to help you regain as much independence as possible by working with you and your carers, family and friends.
The team is made up of a range of professionals with a broad knowledge and experience of stroke and stroke related issues. The team consists of a stroke nurse, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapist, social worker, rehabilitation assistants, a technician and information coordinator.
What happens once I have been referred onto the service?
A member of the team will come into hospital to meet you. Following discussions with you and your family, plans will be developed for your transfer of care home.
Prior to your return home, the team may carry out a home visit to see if any equipment or minor adaptations are required. A member of the team will either take you home, or visit you soon after you arrive home.
The therapist involved in your care will discuss your goals with you and a rehabilitation programme will be developed to help you work towards these goals. The goals may include:
- improving your mobility
- making day to day tasks easier like dressing and washing, returning to work and leisure pursuits
- maximising your communication/swallowing potential
- healthy lifestyle monitoring and advice
A record of the team’s visits will be kept in your home. You and your family/friends are encouraged to use this record as a reminder for questions you’d like to ask, or for information you’d like to pass on to the health professionals you come into contact with.
How long is the team involved?
It is very difficult to predict how long you will receive our service. It is important to remember that stroke affects people in different ways, and that recovery varies greatly from person to person and how they benefit from rehabilitation.
The team will only remain actively involved for as long as they can specifically help or guide improvement towards the agreed goals.
Should you require ongoing care or support when you are discharged from the service, further arrangements can be made with your agreement.
Contacting the team
We are available Monday to Friday, 8.30 am – 4.30 pm on: 0191 219 4634 (an answer phone system is also in operation, and we will return your calls as soon as we can.
Should you need help and advice during the weekend, we are available on Saturdays and Sundays 8.30 am – 4.30 pm on: 07799 766 347.
Community Stroke Team
The community stroke team provides rehabilitation and support at home for people who have had a stroke. The team works with patients, carers and families to develop a rehabilitation programme that fits their needs. We aim to help patients regain as much independence as possible.
The team is made up of a range of professionals with a broad knowledge and experience of stroke and stroke-related issues. The community stroke team consists of a stroke nurse, occupational therapists, a physiotherapist, a speech and language therapist, rehabilitation assistants, a technician and an information coordinator.
How will the community stroke team help me?
The therapists involved in your care will discuss your goals with you and a rehabilitation programme will be developed to help you work towards these goals. These may include help towards:
- improving your mobility
- making day to day tasks easier like dressing and washing, returning to work and leisure pursuits
- maximising your communication/swallowing potential
- healthy lifestyle monitoring and advice
A record of the team’s visits will be kept in your home. You and your family and friends are encouraged to use this record as a reminder for questions you’d like to ask, or for information you’d like to pass on to the health professionals you come into contact with.
When will I be seen?
You will be contacted with an appointment by letter or telephone following receipt of your referral. Your length of wait will depend on the urgency and nature of your needs. We accept referrals from all health and social care professionals.
How long will my treatment last?
It is very difficult to predict how long you will receive our service. It is important to remember that stroke affects people in different ways, and that recovery varies greatly from person to person and how they benefit from rehabilitation.
The team will only remain actively involved for as long as they can specifically help or guide improvement towards the agreed goals.
Contacting the team
We are available Monday to Friday, 8.30 am – 4.30 pm on: 0191 219 4634 (an answer phone system is also in operation, and we will return your calls as soon as we can.
Should you need help and advice during the weekend, we are available on Saturdays and Sundays 8.30 am – 4.30 pm on: 07799 766 347.
