Community stroke service welcomed
PLANS for a new integrated community stroke rehabilitation service have been welcomed by those who have survived the condition.
East Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group has agreed to fund the £500,000 a year service, which will begin in April.
It will bring together a range of health and care workers, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and social care staff, to help patients recover more fully from a stroke after hospital treatment.
This will be provided through a three-year contract to University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust.
And the move is welcome news to members of the Macclesfield Stroke Association at a recent feedback meeting.
The scheme will enable survivors to receive recovery support closer to home and reduce prolonged hospital stays.
Estimates suggest it will help around 300 people per year, seeing them within 48 hours of discharge and assessing them within seven days.
Also throwing his backing behind the service was Macclesfield MP David Rutley.
He said: “I strongly welcome these positive proposals, which will help to significantly improve care and support for stroke survivors in and around Macclesfield.
“This is good news, and I look forward to seeing the service up and running in April, so that a more fully effective rehabilitation service is available for stroke survivors in their homes and local communities.”
Proposals for the scheme were drawn up following consultation with stroke survivors and their carers.