Doctors in Redbridge are asking for people’s views on proposed changes to the way patients are cared for after having a stroke.

Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Group launched a three-month public consultation on the way rehabilitation services are delivered to stroke patients on Monday, January 11.

A spokesman for the organisation said: “We want to make sure that NHS stroke rehabilitation services in Redbridge are the best they can be, and that’s only possible if we know what’s important to local people, which is why it is so important that they respond to the consultation.“

The proposed changes would mean post-stroke rehabilitation services are streamlined through one provider across the borough.

They would also ensure stroke patients who live in Wanstead get the six weeks of domiciliary post-stroke rehabilitation care recommended by the National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE).

Currently stroke patients admitted to hospital who live in Wanstead are not eligible for early supported discharge (ESD) as part of their rehabilitation.

Stroke Association’s Director for London Michelle Dalmacio said: “ESD enables stroke patients to recover in the comfort of their own homes and can make a real difference to their recovery and confidence.

“Evidence has shown that people on ESD programmes regain their independence quicker and are therefore less likely to end up back in hospital. In this way it supports the NHS by freeing up beds, so this is definitely a step in the right direction.”

The consultation closes at 5pm on April 1. More information can be found on the Redbridge CCG’s website.

http://www.redbridgeccg.nhs.uk/About-us/proposed-changes-to-stroke-rehabilitation-services.html