GERIATRIC MEDICINE

New support service for stroke survivors

Source: IrishHealth.com

April 28, 2020

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  • Stroke survivors who are being discharged from hospital will now be able to avail of a new phone support service, which aims to make their transition back home in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic easier.

    This new national service has been launched by the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) in conjunction with the HSE's National Stroke Programme.

    An estimated 7,500 people are hospitalised every year in Ireland after suffering a stroke - that is around 21 strokes per day. Most of these patients will be discharged home after spending an average of two weeks in hospital.

    However, COVID-19 had led to a major reduction in the availability of community supports for survivors of stroke. This has come about as a result of illness among healthcare workers, as well as the redeployment of many of them to COVID-related health services.

    "Leaving the care of an expert team of doctors, nurses, and therapists to return home after suffering a brain injury is likely to be traumatic at any time. To do so without help to transition at a time of national health crisis, and in many cases earlier than would normally be the case, is a lot to ask of stroke patients," explained the IHF's head of advocacy, Chris Macey.

    He pointed out that COVID-related anxiety and isolation is having an "extreme impact" on stroke survivors.

    "We're naturally eager to step into the breach with the help of the HSE's National Stroke Programme to provide this vital service to some of Ireland's most vulnerable citizens," Mr Macey said.

    The phone service, which began operating on April 23, involves trained IHF staff and volunteers making regular calls to stroke survivors who have been referred by acute hospital stroke teams.

    The service checks on their health and wellbeing, provides information and advice about recovery from stroke and makes sure that practical needs are being met, enabling stroke survivors to stay safe.

    The calls are currently being made by the IHF's team of stroke support coordinators, who already support hundreds of members of the charity's stroke groups across the country. However, as volumes increase, volunteers, including stroke survivors and carers, will also makes calls.

    The service is backed up by the IHF's support line nurses, while a traffic light system is in place to escalate calls to stroke nurses or the emergency services if necessary.

    "Returning to life after stroke can be challenging at the best of times and may seem more difficult to recovering patients in the current COVID crisis. With the added pressure on health services created by the crisis, our normal hospital and community supports for stroke patients may be reduced through staff redeployment and illness.

    "The support to patients offered by this initiative from the Irish Heart Foundation is greatly welcomed by the National Stroke Programme," commented Prof Ronan Collins, the HSE's national clinical lead for stroke.

    Mr Macey added that the number of people needing support is increasing every day.

    "However, while this service was primarily established to assist newly discharged stroke patients, we have developed the capacity to support any stroke survivor, regardless of how long they have been living with the condition. Our message to every stroke survivor in the country is that if you need us, we are here for you."

    In addition to this new service, the IHF nurse support line is also available to answer questions any member of the public may have on any aspect of heart disease and stroke. Nurses can be contacted by calling (01) 668 5001 or emailing support@irishheart.ie.

     

    © Medmedia Publications/IrishHealth.com 2020