Colleagues, former patients and The Stroke Association have come together in a trial to review and jointly redesign the way in which rehabilitation-related activity is provided in stroke units in the early days and weeks after stroke.

Our stroke rehabilitation unit at CRH was one of only four centres to take part in the CREATE trial* last year, under the support of our own research and development team, and a research team from Leeds.

Stroke consultant, Dr Anand Nair, said “We were extremely fortunate, and excited, to be selected as one of the few centres for this research.

“The degree of institutionalism during a patient’s stay is a prominent factor in increasing care needs and the failure to adapt back into the community following a stroke.

“It was incredible to work with a cohort of motivated team members who delivered with passion and enthusiasm completely out of goodwill.

“The involvement of former patients and the Stroke Association fuelled a desire to make things better for patients.

“There are also lessons in hospital care which can be extended to other specialities, and I am sure the strategies formulated as part of this trial will change rehabilitation experience positively for all future patients”

*Collaborative Rehabilitation in Acute Stroke Project (CREATE)