Have your say on stroke rehabilitation services

People across Derby and Derbyshire are being invited to have their say over services that help with recovery from a stroke.

Services are currently different, depending on where you live.

Additionally, services are very busy and demand is growing. There has been a 6% increase in stroke admissions to Derbyshire hospitals since 2021/22.

Rehabilitation can help stroke survivors live well and reduce subsequent hospital visits, but services in Derbyshire are mixed.

There are four types of treatment following a stroke:

1. Early supported stroke discharge, which is a six week programme for those with mild to moderate disabilities. This helps 40% of stroke patients, helping them to get care at home, improve independence, and reduce hospital stays. This service is available over all of Derbyshire except the High Peak area.
    
2. Community stroke rehabilitation, which is for patients with more severe strokes or those needing longer term support.
    
3. Hospital outpatient support, for example with physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.
    
4. "Life after stroke" specialised support provided by the Stroke Association. A "stroke navigator" service for general support is provided in North Derbyshire, communications support is provided in South Derbyshire and Derby city, and different personalised support is also provided in Glossop and the surrounding area.

National best practice is for stroke rehabilitation services to be provided through an integrated service that ensures all discharged stroke patients are seen in a timely way by an integrated multidisciplinary team, regardless of their disability.

NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board has begun a "pre-engagement" listening exercise to hear the views of people affected by stroke, as well as their carers, families and friends.

Dr Chris Weiner, NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board chief medical officer, said: "We know that people who are supported with appropriate rehabilitation following a stroke will see their health and recovery improve better than people who don't get the right support.

"People in Derby or Derbyshire are currently receiving different services, depending on where they live, and as a result some are put at a disadvantage.

"We want to change that. But to change services for the better we want to hear about people's experiences of stroke rehabilitation.

"So please go along to one of our events, or you can give your views through our survey."

People contributing to the pre-engagement development and design include patient representatives, carers groups, service providers, the Stroke Association charity and the support charity Different Strokes. 

Public workshops have been arranged in locations across the county, including in Derby and Belper on 5th November.

People can also have their say via an online survey, by phone on 01332 981601, or via online workshops on 22nd and 24th October. 

The closing date for completing this survey is Sunday 24th November 2024.

Full details are on the Derby and Derbyshire Involvement website.