​New service launched for Southern Derbyshire stroke survivors

The Stroke Association is launching a new service this week to support stroke survivors and their families living across Southern Derbyshire and Erewash.

The pilot Information, Advice and Support Service, funded by NHS Southern Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group, will run for 12 months to provide support for people who have had a stroke.

Three Stroke Association coordinators, linking in with healthcare professionals, will work with stroke survivors and their families and carers, to help provide essential information, emotional support and practical advice in the aftermath of a stroke.

Stroke survivors using the service will have access to My Stroke Guide, a new online platform, which gives stroke survivors and carers additional knowledge, skills and confidence.

My Stroke Guide includes a goal-setting feature, support forums and information on services, which aim to provide understanding, motivation and confidence to help stroke survivors manage their condition. My Stroke Guide was designed by stroke survivors for stroke survivors, and can be accessed on smartphone, tablet, laptop and PCs.

The new support pilot team will also hold regular stroke prevention activities across the year, raising awareness of common stroke risk factors, such as high blood pressure.

Julia MacLeod, Regional Director of the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke has a massive and sudden impact. People’s lives are changed forever - not just for the stroke survivor, but for their family and friends as well. Over 400,000 people have used our services over the last 20 years – we see the difference they make every day. Stroke survivors and carers often tell us they couldn’t manage without them.

“Our new information, advice and support service pilot in Derby, Southern Derbyshire and Erewash will help people affected by stroke start to rebuild their lives. We look forward to working together with NHS Southern Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group to provide a high quality service for stroke survivors and their carers.”

Helen O’ Higgins, Senior Commissioning Manager for NHS Southern Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We’re currently working closely with stroke survivors and our providers to make improvements to specialist community stroke care for patients across our area.

“This pilot is an important part of our work to help people who have had a stroke to recover and lead active, full lives, confident that they’re supported and are doing everything they can to get back to health.”

In 2014/15 there were 655 new stroke survivors within NHS Southern Derbyshire CCG’s area. There were 223 in Amber Valley and South Dales, 389 in Derby city and 43 in South Derbyshire and 116 new stroke survivors within Erewash CCG.

There are more than 9,500 people in Southern Derbyshire living with the effects of stroke. More than half of all stroke survivors are left dependent on others for everyday activities. The numbers of deaths from stroke in the region has decreased by 46 per cent between 2004 and 2013, which suggests that increasing numbers of people are living with the impact of stroke in Southern Derbyshire and Erewash.

Stroke survivors and their carers who feel they would benefit from the new services can call the information, advice and support service on 0115 8712460 or email s.derbyshire@stroke.org.uk. For more information about the Stroke Association, please visit www.stroke.org.uk or call the Helpline on 0303 303 3100.