The Trust's Stroke Unit, located at Maidstone Hospital, provides critical care for over 1,200 stroke patients each year. A stroke is a severe medical emergency where the brain's blood supply is interrupted, requiring urgent specialist treatment to improve survival and recovery chances and minimise long-term disability. The unit comprises the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit for immediate 24/7 emergency care and assessment within the first 72 hours, followed by the Acute Stroke Unit for ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.
A dedicated multidisciplinary team, including doctors, clinical nurse specialists, dietitians, orthoptists, physiotherapists, therapists, researchers, and discharge coordinators, provides life-saving treatment and support. Their collaborative efforts aim to ensure stroke survivors achieve the best possible outcomes.
The Trust is highlighting the roles of several team members. Dr Navraj Chattha, Consultant in Stroke and Elderly Care Medicine and Stroke Clinical Lead, focuses on assessing patients for specialist treatments like thrombolysis or thrombectomy and overseeing their rehabilitation. He finds it rewarding to see patients, especially younger survivors, make remarkable recoveries.
Suresh Selvaraj, Senior Physiotherapist, supports patients in regaining movement and balance, working closely with the wider team. He finds it meaningful to encourage patients through difficult early days and witness their determination and progress.
Victoria Reed, Occupational Therapy Assistant, helps survivors regain skills, confidence, and independence for daily life, assisting with personal care, mobility, and cognitive rehabilitation. She values being part of a collaborative team and finds it rewarding to support patients and families through their rehabilitation journey.
Varsha Unmesh, Senior Dietitian, ensures patients receive adequate nutrition to support recovery, assessing those with poor eating habits, swallowing difficulties, or malnutrition risk. She emphasises the importance of good nutrition and the team's collaborative approach.
Man Ying Cheung, Speech and Language Therapist, assesses and supports patients with swallowing and communication difficulties. She works with nursing colleagues on oral care and with patients to help them express their needs, adapting therapy to individual abilities and goals.
Helen Veal, Advanced Orthoptist, assesses and advises on visual problems post-stroke, such as visual field loss and eye movement disorders, providing exercises and coping strategies. She trains colleagues to raise awareness of visual impairments and their impact on therapy and daily activities.
Laura Henderson, Research Physiotherapist, embeds research into clinical practice, identifying eligible patients for studies and ensuring safe delivery. She finds it rewarding to empower patients to contribute to improving future stroke care and sees the impact of research findings on practice.
Kate Farrow, Community Stroke Pathways Coordinator, manages rehabilitation and discharge pathways, coordinating care and support after hospitalisation. She works with patients, families, and healthcare teams to ensure smooth transitions and improve rehabilitation opportunities, finding it rewarding to ease the journey for survivors.
