Stroke services
We commission a range of services to support patients from diagnosis and initial care to rehabilitation or recovery. Services include:
- Acute stroke unit at Watford General hospital
- Specialist Stroke Rehabilitation Beds at Langley House in Watford
- Stroke Early Supported Discharge (ESD) service
- West Hertfordshire Stroke Recovery Service
Acute stroke unit at Watford General hospital
The Acute Stroke Unit is located in the Main Block, PMoK (Princess Michael of Kent Wing), Level 3 and is part of the Stroke Service based at Watford General Hospital and Hemel Hempstead Hospital.
The Acute Stroke unit is a 33 bedded ward with three single sex bays, four side rooms and two hyper acute bays which may be at times mixed sex according to the patients clinical needs. The ward can be contacted on 01923 217 270 or 01923 217 147. For further information and details on referral please follow the link.
Specialist Stroke Rehabilitation Beds at Langley House (Holywell Neurological Rehabilitation Unit Inpatient Unit) in Watford
Holywell is a therapy and nurse-led multi-disciplinary rehabilitation unit based in Langley House, Garston, run by the Hertfordshire Neurological Service which is part of Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust.
It has 16 beds catering for people with complex and non-complex neurological needs (for example as a result of stroke, head injury or multiple sclerosis). There are 12 single bedded rooms and two twin rooms. While we endeavour to keep patients in the same room throughout their stay and accommodate their preferences - this is not always possible due to clinical needs.
For further information and details on referral please follow the link.
Stroke Early Supported Discharge (ESD) service
The Stroke Early Supported Discharge (ESD) service provides rehabilitation for people who have had a mild to moderate stroke, allowing them to return home sooner and aid long term recovery by providing specialist stroke rehabilitation within the patient’s own home.
What are the aims?
- To discharge patients home within 7 days of their stroke.
- To reduce length of stay in acute stroke units.
- To provide up to 4 weeks of specialist stroke rehabilitation to patients in their own homes
- To offer a 6 month review for all patients who have had a stroke in Hertfordshire.
What is the approach?
The team, part of Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust and funded by Herts Valleys CCG and East and North Hertfordshire CCG, includes stroke specialist physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, clinical psychologists, rehabilitation assistants and social workers. Rehabilitation sessions are tailored to people’s clinical need and patients could be seen up to five times per week over a four week period. After this, patients needing further support will be referred to other community teams.
What are the benefits?
This approach means better outcomes for patients. The National Stroke Strategy states “supported discharge (ESD) to a comprehensive stroke specialist and multidisciplinary team in the community, but with a similar level of intensity to stroke unit care, can reduce long-term mortality and institutionalisation rates for up to 50 per cent of patients and lower overall costs.”
By offering a 6 month review to all patients who have had a stroke in Hertfordshire, any unmet need will be identified and addressed through referral to other services.
West Hertfordshire Stroke Recovery Service
West Hertfordshire Stroke Recovery Service provides high quality information, practical advice and emotional support following a stroke. Whether you are a stroke survivor, carer or family member, we will begin working with you after a stroke. We will continue to provide the support you need, both at home and in the wider community.
This service offers:
- coordinated support throughout your stroke journey
- home visits
- leaflets, factsheets and information about Life after Stroke Grants and benefits
- help with returning to work
- assistance with accessing local leisure and social activities
- support for carers, and links to other organisations and networks.
Who is the service for?
This service is for stroke survivors (including TIAs/mini-strokes) of any age, and families and carers of people affected by stroke, living in areas covered by the District/Borough Councils of Dacorum, St. Albans, Hertsmere, Watford, and Three Rivers.
For further information and details on referral please follow the link.