Stroke Unit

The Stroke Unit has 24 beds which are for acute and short-term rehabilitation. The unit is mixed sex but has single sex accommodation and single sex bathroom and toilet facilities.

What to bring with you as a patient

• Any medicine and tablets you may have been taking and any treatment cards
• Night clothes, dressing gown and slippers
• Day clothes and safe footwear
• Toiletries
• Any personal appliances that you normally use, for example hearing aid, dentures, spectacles
• A small amount of money for newspapers etc
• Items to pass the time such as books, knitting etc

Personal clothing can be washed by our laundry if required. We are unable to take responsibility for any valuables or money kept on the ward. We can deposit these in the hospital safe if you wish.

How to get to the unit

The Stroke Unit is situated on Level 3 of the South Wing. When you enter the hospital by entrance South 1 follow the signs to the Stroke Unit, using the lift if required.

What to expect when you arrive

On the ward you will be met by a member of the nursing team who will show you to your bed and help you settle in. You will be given an identity bracelet which you will be asked to wear throughout your stay. You will be seen by your doctor who will take down the information needed for your treatment and any tests required will be ordered and carried out, for example blood test or x–rays.

Planning your discharge

We are committed to providing you with a quality service. Part of this provision involves anticipating your future needs on admission where appropriate. Once you have reached the level of ability to enable you to be discharged home with the support of the Early Supported Discharge Team or Community Rehabilitation Team or discharged to a community hospital or a nursing home, we will provide all the guidance and support necessary to facilitate this process.

Leaving the unit

Before you leave hospital staff will:

• Ensure that arrangements have been made at home for your return
• Arrange any follow–up appointments needed
• Check your transport arrangements
• Give you a letter for your GP telling them about your treatment and progress
• Give you a two–week supply of medication if needed

Finally, if you borrow a walking aid from the hospital please return it when it is no longer required. This way you will help future patients by ensuring there is a supply of aids in store for loan.

Hyper Acute Stroke Unit

Plans are progressing to open a new Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) at Dorset County Hospital.

The six-bed bay on our current Stroke Unit will allow teams to closely monitor patients when they are first admitted following a stroke in one designated area. Patients will be monitored on the HASU for up to the first 72 hours following their stroke (or longer if required).

The HASU will be led by a senior stroke leadership team and supported by stroke specialist dietitians, nurses, therapy assistants, occupational therapists, doctors, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, orthoptists, orthotists and other support staff.

The team will be available seven days a week and will be supported by colleagues in the Emergency, Radiology and Pharmacy Departments.