ABSTRACT
Introduction: This multi-professional programme was developed by the stroke team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (CWH) to support stroke survivors post discharge into the community. Approximately one third of patients have significant impairments post stroke;physical, cognitive, visual, or speech/language related. Most patients and carers suffer a period of adjustment post discharge. The psychological aspect of stroke can have a huge impact beyond the inpatient setting. Method(s): The programme aims to: - Provide a platform where patients and relatives can meet the stroke team, giving them opportunity to become more informed of their own experience and highlight on-going needs. - Strengthen alliances with community and voluntary services. - Empower patients to seek self-management strategies to monitor and progress their long-term condition. - Sign-post stroke survivors to community stroke help groups and charities. - Increase high quality rehabilitation in-line with the NHS Longterm Plan. - Build a network of stroke survivors that support each other during their recovery. Result(s): The programme was planned face-to-face yet due to the Covid Pandemic, our first session ran virtually on 20/09/21, followed by 4 sessions every 2 months. Further sessions will hopefully be face-to-face. Conclusion(s): Feedback from stroke survivor attendees has been extremely positive (100% recommend it). We presented our innovative programme at a Dragon's Den style Trust event in November 2021. Feedback was very complimentary and we were privileged enough to receive a 10,000 Grant funded by NHS England and CWH Charity. This Grant will go towards development of the programme, support our stroke unit and nurse training.