THE average time stroke patients are spending in hospital has been reduced since the opening of the specialist stroke rehabilitation unit in Evesham, health chiefs claim.
Back in April Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust moved all of the county’s specialist stroke beds to Evesham Community Hospital due to what they said was the ‘difficulty’ in securing expert cover across three sites.
Since it’s opening, health bosses have said the average time a patient spends in hospital recovering from a stroke has been reduced.
Patients are now able to return home quicker to continue their recovery with the average time spent in the unit now less than a month. Previously the average time spent in hospital was about six weeks.
The new unit at Evesham is managed by stroke specialists and consultants and supported by representatives from the Worcestershire Carers Association and the Stroke Association who are on hand to provide expert help and guidance to patients and carers.
Health chiefs also said the decision to consolidate the stroke beds at Evesham Community Hospital is ‘confirmation’ of their ‘commitment’ to the site.
Dr Andy Sant, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s Medical Director, said: “The decision to consolidate the stroke rehab beds in Evesham Community Hospital has improved the service we are able to provide to people recovering from a serious stroke.
“Having our expert staff on one site means patients can access the best level of care and treatment possible and the results since all the beds moved to Evesham have been really encouraging.
“The time someone has to spend in hospital is reducing and the feedback we’re getting from patients, their families/carers and the staff on the unit is very positive.
“It is clear the decision is strengthening the specialist stroke rehabilitation service we are able to offer people across Worcestershire.”
Geoffrey Stokes, a patient on the Stroke Unit, said: “It’s very friendly here, nothing is too much trouble. The food is good and the staff are excellent.”
