Stroke survivors and their families in Macarthur and across the country are set to benefit from a new and improved information pack to make life after stroke a little easier.
Launching the new My Stroke Journey resource at the Campbelltown Hospital yesterday, Stroke Foundation NSW executive officer Teresa Howarth said the information pack had been refined following consultation with health professionals, stroke survivors and their families.
“Stroke is a sudden and potentially devastating health crisis that strikes without warning, leaving people no time to prepare,’’ Ms Howarth said.
“The new My Stroke Journey pack offers stroke survivors and their families a comprehensive overview of all the support and services they will need following their stroke in one convenient and easy to understand place.
“We consulted widely with health professionals, stroke survivors and their families about what support they needed in the first crucial weeks after stroke.
“The overwhelming feedback was that planning for ongoing recovery after discharge from hospital was a priority.
“My Stroke Journey now comes with an integrated care plan template that a range of health professionals can use, working with their patients to track their recovery,’’ Ms Howarth said.
“The new My Stroke Journey also guides health professionals to direct their patients to online recovery resource enableme, so that patients can continue to make improvements to their health and wellbeing long after they leave hospital care.
“Hospital is just one step on the stroke journey for survivors and their families; this information pack will help provide a road map for the rest of the way.’’
Campbelltown Hospital clinical nurse consultant Angela Firtko welcomed the redevelopment of the specialist information pack, saying it would be of great benefit to patients long after they leave the hospital.
“For many the transition from hospital to home is just the start of their stroke journey, a journey that may take months, years or even a lifetime,’’ Ms Firtko said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Leaving the security of hospital and navigating the broader health system can be stressful for survivors and their families. My Stroke Journey makes this process easier by providing vital information and links to services in the community.”[/social_quote]
The nib foundation executive officer Amy Tribe said the foundation was delighted to have supported the redevelopment of this vital resource.
“nib foundation is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities across Australia. Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest health issues, one in six of us will have a stroke in our lifetime,” Ms Tribe said.
“We are proud to have supported the redevelopment of My Stroke Journey, which will improve the lives of thousands of stroke survivors, their families and carers.”
Ms Howarth said the redeveloped My Stroke Journey would provide much needed support to stroke survivors and their families.
“There are more than 450,000 stroke survivors living in Australia and around a third of them have ongoing care needs. It is vital that those affected by stroke get the support they need to make the best recovery possible,’’ she said.
“The new My Stroke Journey will empower stroke patients and their families in the road to recovery.”
SNAPSHOT – About My Stroke Journey
• The My Stroke Journey information pack has been redeveloped by the Stroke Foundation with the support of nib foundation and Bayer. It brings together information on the different types of stroke, causes, impacts on family and friends, details on the hospital process, health services available, risks of having another stroke and information for carers and family.
• The resource also features advice and reflections from stroke survivors who have “been there’’ to guide new stroke patients through their recovery journey.
For more information visit the website here.
