New specialist orthoptist service enhances care for stroke patients

Stroke patients in Stockport will now receive enhanced care due to the launch of a new specialist orthoptist service. The new service will be based at both Stepping Hill Hospital, and in the community, and will provide specialist care for the eye conditions which stroke patients often experience.

The service was launched with a special event at the hospital, which featured talks from clinicians, charity partners from the Stroke Association and Henshaws, and  former stroke patient Julia Lack, who talked about her own experience of visual conditions, including coping with her inability to read.

Sarah Rickard, Network Manager and Professor Fiona Rowe, Professor of Orthoptics, University of Liverpool were also amongst the guest speakers, discussing the importance of early adoption of stroke related visual impairment, the research evidence that underpins this, and the current unmet need.

Over 70% of stroke survivors will suffer with some form of visual or ocular disturbance. Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and the network recognised the need for greater specialist care in this area for local patients in the Stockport, High Peak, and surrounding regions.

They successfully applied for national SQuIRe (Stroke Quality Improvement for Rehabilitation) funding, for a pilot project lasting 12 months, which helped create the new service.

The network has worked together with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust to work on the newly delivered Visual Impairment service which includes screening, assessment, and management of all stroke survivors. By identifying visual and ocular disturbances early and working in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team in the community and voluntary sector more effective patient centred care can be delivered.

Stroke survivors will also be monitored in a community setting for their visual problems, ensuring ongoing rehabilitation and support care. It is estimated over 750 local stroke survivors a year who experience eye conditions will benefit from the service.

The launch of the project has involved close working between orthoptists and occupational therapists working in both hospital and community settings, as well as the support from the Stroke Association and Henshaws, and input from stroke survivors.

Fiona Bush, Head Orthoptist for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, and another speaker at the launch, said “Visual and ocular disturbances are very common among stroke patients, and can have a huge impact on their lives. Having a specialist service for diagnosis of this as early as possible will be a huge benefit for these patients, and help us to provide them with the care, treatment and support they need. We’re very pleased that we can now provide this enhanced care for our stroke survivors.”