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Stroke Coffee Morning provides valuable community feedback

09 May 2014

West Middlesex University Hospital held its annual stroke coffee morning on Thursday 8 May in support of National Stroke Awareness Month.

West Middlesex University Hospital held its annual stroke coffee morning on Thursday 8 May in support of national stroke awareness month.

The event was hosted by stroke specialist nurse Ahlam Wynne in the hospital’s Education Centre, to invite feedback and ideas to keep the Stroke Unit service moving forward.

The Mayor of Richmond, Meena Bond, joined patients, relatives, staff, and community groups at West Middlesex to discuss further improvements to stroke services in the hospital and in the community.

Visitors were also able to learn about extra services available in the community and the efforts that the Stroke Unit has made over the last year to improve community services which help patients manage after having a stroke.

The event also allows patients to meet other people who are recovering from stroke and share their experiences. Former patient, Robert Livermore, said: I came to meet other people from Different Strokes, which is a charitable organisation that organises our exercise classes at the Heart of Hounslow Health Centre”.

Cathleen from Feltham, had a stroke in December 2013 and as a result, now suffers from aphasia - a communication disorder which makes it difficult to read, write or
speak. She was joined by her speech therapist, Becky, who helped her understand and take part in the discussion.

Cathleen said: “I motivated myself to come to the meeting because I wanted to speak to other people and understand how stroke has affected others, and I have enjoyed coming here today.”

Meena Bond, Mayor of Richmond, said: “I love West Middlesex and I think that these events are incredibly beneficial to both the hospital and patients.  I have really enjoyed meeting some patients and hearing about their experiences recovering from a stroke. These occasions provide a unique insight into the needs of the local community and identify where important improvements can be made.”

The Stroke Unit provides acute care for patients until they are suitable for discharge home or further rehabilitation care in an alternative setting, including specialist rehabilitation services in the community.

A multidisciplinary team works together to care for stroke patients at the hospital and with the local Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) at Charing Cross Hospital. 

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