Stroke patients & carers continue to design the new stroke service
Stroke patients and their families were invited to Maidstone Hospital this week to chat with hospital staff about what the new Stroke Unit may look like in the future.
The group, which is known as the Stroke Co-Design Group, was set up in partnership by Healthwatch Kent, the Stroke Association and Healthwatch Medway. The group is travelling to Kent hospitals to help them learn from patients about what stroke services need to provide once the new Stroke Hyper Acute Units are built.
The discussion covered a wide range of topics with stroke survivors and their families making a number of suggestions including:
- visual information for patients and families about what has actually happened to them and what it means for the future
- the importance of therapy and stimulation, not just during dedicated therapy sessions
- the power of positive language and positive thinking
- practical issues such as dimmable lighting and availability of clocks and computers
Next stop on their tour will be Darent Valley Hospital!
