Coronavirus: changes to stroke services at Rotherham Hospital

Therapy groups have stopped, some appointments will now be conducted over telephone or videocall, and medium to low risk stroke survivors will no longer have face to face support.

"Having a stroke means you are at greater risk of getting complications like pneumonia if you have coronavirus," said a spokesman for the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

"Everyone is different, and if you have other health conditions, you also need to check how this affects you."

Inpatients on the acute stroke unit will continue to be cared for by the stroke rehabilitation team. Their main focus will be getting patients home safely as soon as possible, with the team providing only essential face to face interactions. 

The team will also continue to provide support for stroke survivors living in the community.

"We will provide face to face home visits where appropriate, although the frequency of these visits may be reduced in order to adhere to guidance around social distancing and also to meet demand within the acute setting," he said

"We will also be providing telephone consultations and video consultations where appropriate, as we are no longer able to offer face to face stroke rehabilitation to stroke survivors who are classed as medium to low risk. These patients will have some level of independent mobility, minimal communication and/or cognitive impairment.

"They will not require a care package and will have support in place."

Therapy groups are no longer available due to government social distancing guidance and six-monthly stroke reviews for survivors will be conducted over telephone/video conferencing. 

"We hope you all stay safe during this difficult time and we look forward to resuming our normal service in the future," the spokesman said. 

For more information calll 01709 424118, or visit http://www.therotherhamft.nhs.uk for further service updates.

A stroke is still a medical emergency - if you have any signs of a stroke, don't wait, call 999.