A new service to support recovering stroke patients and their families has been launched in north Cumbria.
The North Cumbria Community Stroke Discharge and Support Team will support patients with complex care needs discharged from hospital following a stroke, focusing on patients who require a full package of care at home or who are moving into nursing residential care.
The service is a 12-month pilot project funded by Stroke Quality Improvement for Rehabilitation.
The team are working with the stroke teams at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven to identify suitable patients and the team will then work to reduce the patient’s length of stay in hospital and reduce the likelihood of them requiring readmission to hospital.
The team is made up of two occupational therapists, two nurses, a principal psychological practitioner, a team secretary and a team lead/case manager.
Jo Howard, early supported stroke discharge co-ordinator at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The service will be an innovative way of working in north Cumbria. This new service will enhance the support which is already available for stroke patients, families and carers following discharge from hospital.”
Vicky Reay, team lead and case manager for the new service, said: “There is already a lot of great work being done by NHS, local authority and third sector teams across north Cumbria to support individuals and their families following a stroke. We are excited to work alongside these services and collaborate to enhance quality of life after stroke for people in our communities.”
