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You are in: Home > Community Support > CHSS Nurses > Stroke Nurses

Stroke Nurses

A stroke nurse aims to facilitate a smooth transition from hospital back into the community for people who have had a stroke and their families. The nurse helps them adjust to the changes associated with the stroke, by providing information, advice and support.

These services run in

• North of Scotland—Grampian/Highland
• East of Scotland—Fife, Lothian and Lanarkshire

Stroke Nurse Projects

Stroke nurse projects are based on research of patients and carers views in Scotland that have revealed “the period of transition from hospital to home was identified as a critical time—a contact person, a who could assist them with the many practical issues raised, would be of immense benefit.”

Aims

• to facilitate a smooth transition from hospital back into the community
• to help people who have had a stroke, and their carers adjust to changes resulting from stroke
• to give advice, information and support, raising awareness of risk factors, encourage appropriate lifestyle changes and help minimize the risk of further strokes
• to identify and solve problems and concerns—short, medium and long term
• to facilitate reintegration to home and the community
• to foster independence on the part of patients and their carers
• to be an integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team

North of Scotland—Grampian/Highland

To download leaflet see related documents right.

The first Stroke Nurse Project was established in 1995 by CHSS in partnership with NHS Grampian. The project was fully evaluated during its second year, and received very positively by patients and carers. The project was subsequently expanded to pan-Grampian, Inverness and Ross-shire.

In 2003, additional funding was secured through the Big Lottery Fund by CHSS in partnership with NHS Highland to offer the service in Caithness and Lochaber. The service is now pan-Highland with telephone support offered to those in remote and rural areas. A pilot scheme is now in operation following up patients that are discharged to nursing or residential homes. This scheme in Caithness and Lochaber will assess the needs of the patients, relatives and staff of these homes.

East of Scotland—Fife, Lothian and Lanarkshire

To download leaflet see related documents right.

CHSS in partnership with NHS Fife, NHS Lothian and NHS Lanarkshire are expanding the existing Stroke Nurse Project with funding from the Big Lottery Fund. These services complement and work with the Grampian and Highland services. In Lanarkshire, stroke nurses' work is supported by the Young Stroke Support Worker.

Each area has developed a stroke information pack for patients and carers which helps answer questions about

• stroke
• common concerns
• communication and thinking problems
• recovery and well being
• ongoing care and rehabilitation
• local and national services that can offer help and support

In Highland and Grampian an aphasia friendly stroke information pack has been developed.

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