STROKE patients in Worcestershire are to benefit from a brand new service to help them make the best possible recovery and live their lives to the full.

Each year around 152,000 people in the UK have a stroke and 1,100 people in Worcestershire have a new stroke with 870 of them leaving hospital with a disability ranging from mild to very severe.

While about 53,000 people in the UK die as a result of a stroke each year, half of the survivors are left with a long-term disability. This means they may be living with a range of physical, communication, cognitive and psychological problems.

Worcestershire County Council has been working with the Stroke Association to set up a new support service for stroke patients, their families and carers.

The service, which started on July 1 and is being provided by the Stroke Association, aims to provide information, emotional support and practical advice to stroke patients, their families and carers.

All stroke survivors will receive a comprehensive, holistic assessment to identify both their needs and the needs of their family and/or carer. The service will then work with the survivor to develop a recovery plan with clear realistic goals - signposting them to other services where required.

The new service includes a specialist communications support element to provide flexible and longer term support to adults, whose communication is affected by stroke, and their carers. This will be funded by the clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Worcestershire.

This part of the service will work in different settings to assist people to re-engage and participate and to maximise both their communication skills and their emotional recovery by overcoming barriers to successful communication.

For further information or advice please contact 01527 903716 or email worcestershire@stroke.org.uk

Councillor Sheila Blagg, cabinet member with responsibility for Adult Social Care said: "Stroke changes lives in seconds. The victims of stroke and their families will not be prepared for what is to follow. We are delighted to be involved in commissioning this service that will offer practical and emotional support for stroke survivors and their family and carers.

"The holistic assessments and recovery plans will ensure a person receives the physical care they need and the communication and other emotional support aspects of the service will help them to remain engaged and connected with their community and their loved ones."

Chris Emerson, Director of Commissioning for the three CCGs in Worcestershire said: “This service compliments the work undertaken to improve stroke services in Worcestershire ensuring that stroke survivors have the optimum opportunity to recover from their illness."

Sarah Adderley, deputy head of operations at the Stroke Association, said: “We believe in life after stroke and this service gives us the opportunity to work with stroke survivors and their families, providing invaluable specialist support in the community.

“We are really looking forward to working with the Worcestershire Integrated Carers Hub and other organisations, finding innovative ways to provide the essential support that people need to make the best recovery.”