A NEW rehabilitation centre supporting patients from across Worcestershire recovering from a stroke was officially opened at Evesham Community Hospital.
The Worcestershire Stroke Rehabilitation Centre is based at the Waterside venue and cares for county patients who are recovering from a stroke. Typically patients will be admitted to the centre after receiving initial treatment at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Despite supporting patients since April 2017 the centre, which is run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, has undergone a refurbishment to ensure the best short-term rehabilitation for patients is on offer before they are well enough to continue their care at home.
The work, which was supported by donations from the hospital’s League of Friends, was recently completed and the 32-bed centre was officially opened by local MP Nigel Huddleston who was joined by staff, current and past patients and Trust Chief Executive Sarah Dugan.
This stroke centre does an incredible job in helping patients find a way forward at a most vulnerable and critical time of their lives,” Mr Huddleston said.
“For them and their families having this sort of help and rehabilitation is vital. The commitment of the staff and the stories I heard from patients at the opening was both impressive and heart-warming.”
The centre is supported by the local branch of the Stroke Association and Worcestershire Association of Carers who work with the staff to help support patients and their carers in preparing them for returning home.
Patients are benefiting from shorter lengths of stay which means they are likely to return home within just a few weeks. They will then likely be supported by the Community Stroke Team who provide care in the patient’s home.
Previously the 32 stroke rehabilitation beds were spread across three sites; in Evesham, Worcester and Bromsgrove but health chiefs couldn’t ensure staffing across all three sites and after consultation the decison was made to move the centre to Evesham.
Shirley Hodgetts, matron at Evesham Community Hospital, said: “The team at the hospital have worked incredibly hard over the last 18 months to provide excellent services to support patients recovering from a stroke.
“Before this the wards were general nursing wards so we have provided additional training for staff to ensure they deliver specialist care to stroke patients and their families.
“The staff have embraced this change from day one and we are delighted to see real improvements in the stroke rehabilitation service we can provide to patients right across Worcestershire.”
Ms Dugan said: “A stroke is a life-changing illness but it is evident from speaking to staff here that there is a real recovery ethos on the wards, and that patients are supported to meet challenges with courage and optimism.
“It is great to hear so many heart-warming stories of patients making real progress during their time at the centre.”
