Stroke patients being heard loud and clear

News - 7 November 2019

Together with the Stroke Association and Healthwatch Medway, we have set up the Stroke Co-Design Group to ensure the voice of patients and carers is clearly heard during the design of our new stroke services in Kent & Medway.
stethoscope

The stroke survivors and carers were able to help us understand what is important for people using stroke services

Louise Ward, Stroke Clinical Project Manager

The group, which is made up of stroke patients and carers, recently travelled to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford to talk with staff about what the new Hyper Acute Stroke Unit should offer to patients, carers and relatives.

It was a very constructive meeting with stroke survivors talking about the importance of emotional support to help patients and families deal with the impact of a stroke. They felt this support was vital to be available in the immediate days following a stroke as well as during the rehabilitation phase.

The Group will be travelling to all the sites of the new Hyper Acute Stroke Units around Kent & Medway to ensure that the needs of patients, carers and families are included in the designs for the new service.

Louise Ward, Stroke Clinical Project Manager said,

"It was a very positive session to welcome members of the Stroke Co-Design Group to meet with staff at William Harvey Hospital. The stroke survivors and carers were able to help us understand what is important for people using stroke services, to help us design the future Hyper Acute Stroke Unit. Understanding patient and carer view is crucial in redesigning stroke services for Kent & Medway, and this group are invaluably placed to support the constructive conversations that need to happen to enable this."