In 2019 the first Peer Group in Wales started locally in Singleton Hospital Swansea supporting the patients on Ward 7 who were undertaking their rehab after a stroke. This went well until the service stopped because of the restrictions imposed because of Covid.
The Support Group was able to carry on in a limited way via Zoom technology. Since then the stroke rehab services for Swansea Bay Health Board are transferring to Neath Port Talbot Hospital and it has been possible recently to re-introduce the face-to-face service with the active support of the ward clinical, nursing and therapies staff.
Amanda and Dave of the Stroke Association and five volunteer members from the original team Richard and Maureen Casagrande, Jon Evans, Gareth Palmer and Huw Williams.
The patients are identified by the ward staff to Amanda and Dave and then have the opportunity to meet with the Support Group in the coffee bar on a Thursday afternoon over a cuppa.
During that session the aims are
- To provide support to the patients (and relatives, carers, partners etc)
- To provide assurance by sharing our experience of strokes
- To help patients by offering encouragement, reassurance and a listening ear
- To help prepare for discharge and by giving examples that “there is life after a stroke”
Mind you if the patients are interested in a variety of other subjects and want to talk about the return of Warren Gatland, or who should have won Strictly, or have Jon or Maureen got the nicest dog, that’s ok. If it means the patient is engaged and feels confident to talk, that is an important step forward in their rehabilitation. We are here to help guide them through the maze of life after stroke and how to get the most out of it.
It looks as if this scheme will really take off again in 2023!
Huw Williams
