What will happen in hospital?

The Stroke Service at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is provided by a specialist multidisciplinary team (MDT). All of the professions and disciplines involved in your care work together to provide co-ordinated treatment tailored to your needs.

The Stroke Team provides acute care and early rehabilitation. We work closely with other professionals and departments such as your GP and local Social Services to provide a service that supports both patient and carers.

The Stroke Medical Team is led by consultant physicians and neurologists with expertise in stroke care. They will make a diagnosis, arrange investigations and ensure that your medical management and care is delivered in line with the National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke. You will be treated for any conditions which may affect your recovery such as infections.

The Stroke Co-ordinator works closely with all members of the team to provide a well organised, high standard of care. The Stroke Co-ordinator is available to provide information and advice or to speak to patients and families about any concerns you or they may have.

The Nursing Team consists of specially trained staff experienced in assessing and meeting the needs of patients who have experienced a stroke. Led and managed by the Stroke Matron, they provide individualised nursing care aimed at meeting all of your needs whilst working closely with the other MDT members to aid maximum recovery.

Physiotherapists try to improve posture, mobility and upper limb function by working with muscle strength, balance, range of movement, co-ordination and sensation. This involves a programme of regular assessment, activities and exercises. Physiotherapy within the community can be arranged if further treatment is required.

Occupational Therapists (OTs) help you to find practical ways to maximise your independence with everyday tasks. This can seem very challenging following a stroke but we will work to develop specific strategies to help you to achieve your personal goals.

Your OT will discuss any concerns you or your carer may have about returning home. This may include details of your home layout, any equipment that might be helpful and any follow-up services we may think will benefit you at home. We may ask to visit your home to get an idea of how you will cope and establish if any extras help is needed.

Speech & Language Therapists (SLTs) assess and treat communication and swallowing difficulties. The SLT will assess your swallow on admission and advise on the safest consistencies for eating and drinking. This will then be monitored and reviewed during your admission. Difficulties with communication will be investigated and the SLT will work with you and your friends and family to target areas of speech and communication impairment.

Once your swallow has been assessed a member of the Nutrition and Dietetics team will assess your nutritional status and, if required, prescribe the right dietetic intervention to ensure optimal health and wellbeing.

The Pharmacist reviews your medication regularly and makes sure it is available in the most suitable form for you.

The Ward Clerk is available throughout the day providing administrative support to staff and assisting patients and visitors with general enquiries.

From the time you are admitted we will need to start thinking about your discharge and how you will manage when you leave the hospital. You will be fully involved in the discussions and together we will develop a discharge plan. We provide in-depth information in a special booklet entitled 'Leaving Hospital', available on request.

The Discharge Team provides advice and support to you and your carers about getting you home from hospital safely and without delay.

When you leave hospital, Social Services may be able to help with some activities such as washing, dressing, shopping and housework. Social Services are provided by the local authority where you live, not the health service. We liaise with Social Services to help make arrangements.

The Stroke Association helps patients and their families to prepare for the inevitable changes brought about by stroke. They offer information about local groups and services in the community. They also give advice on getting help from statutory and voluntary organisations.

Professional actors from the InterAct Reading Service visit regularly to read to patients on a one-to-one basis. The actors read a variety of short stories by well-known writers. The interaction between reader and patient helps stimulate communication skills.