Early Supported Discharge Team for Stroke
What is Early Supported Discharge (ESD) for stroke survivors?
The Early Supported Discharge team provide home based rehabilitation for stroke survivors. This is an alternative to inpatient rehabilitation. It allows patients who have had a stroke to be discharged home early from hospital. They will continue their rehabilitation at home with the support of the Early Supported Discharge team.
Who is on the Stroke Early Supported Discharge team?
The team consists of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy.
What do the Stroke Early Supported Discharge team do?
The teams provide specialised stroke assessment and treatment as part of a rehabilitation plan that is tailored for the needs of the stroke survivor.
Therapy may include rehabilitation for:
- Mobility and walking
- Balance and co-ordination
- Communication
- Swallowing difficulties
- Practical tasks e.g. washing and dressing, meal/drink preparation, shopping and managing money/bills
- Upper limb and hand function
- Memory and thinking skills
- Teaching and education
Rehabilitation is delivered Monday-Friday and is available for one up to a maximum of eight weeks. The level of support the stroke survivor will receive will be in response to their needs. If stroke survivors require further therapy after the early supported discharge team they will be referred to their local community therapists.
How do stroke survivors access the Early Supported Discharge service?
This service is for current inpatients in the hospital. Stroke survivors can be referred to this service through the acute stroke team looking after them on the ward.
Each stroke survivor will be assigned a key worker who is a member of the ESD team.
The key worker will:
- Contact the stroke survivor before they leave hospital.
- Schedule the initial therapy appointment.
- Coordinate the rehabilitation.