Downe team commended in UK awards

Downe team commended in UK awards

24 July 2013

THE Community Stroke Team based in the Downe Hospital has been highly commended at a major UK-wide awards event.

The improvement in patient experiences and outcomes through fully integrated hospital and community stroke services was highly praised at the recent Care Integration Awards held in London.

The team was one of 20 winners across a number of illness categories that attracted hundreds of applicants from throughout the UK.

When the Downe Hospital opened in 2009, the Trust provided a fully specialist stroke service in a six bed unit. As the catchment area is relatively small, it was decided to use the skills of therapists from the already established Community Stroke Team. 

This provided a comprehensive model of stroke care whereby the same team of therapists provided hospital-based assessment and treatment, prepared patients for discharge and then continued treating them in their homes.

Ongoing monitoring has shown this model to provide excellent care for the patient and good job satisfaction for staff.

A more recent development which further enhances this model of specialist stroke care is provided by the ward stroke nurses who given secondary prevention advice and support in the community.

Bob Brown, Assistant Director of Nursing and Primary Care, with the South Eastern Trust says the trust is delighted with the award.

“This is a service that has been developing over a number of years during which we have listened to local people affected by stroke,” he said.

“We will continue to strive for excellence in providing care for and support to patients and families in all settings as is the vision of the regional strategy Transforming Your Care.