Improved facilities for town’s stroke patients

Civic dignitaries will be among guests at the opening on Wednesday of the unit at Kendray Hospital in Barnsley. The unit, which cost just under £2m, gives stroke patients improved surroundings for their recovery and rehabilitation.

The stroke unit is provided by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and recently relocated from Mount Vernon Hospital, Barnsley to the new location at Kendray Hospital.

The latest design lay-out means that each of the unit’s 16 bedrooms now have overhead hoists to support patients moving around their room, whilst en-suite bathrooms in each of the bedrooms increase privacy and dignity.

The official opening will be attended by Mayor of Barnsley Councillor Ken Richardson and Mrs Nadia Richardson, who will be given a tour of the unit and shown how the new facilities will further improve the care offered to stroke patients from the area.

Mandy Black, unit manager said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the official opening of the stroke unit. The new facilities are a real benefit to people in Barnsley and show that we’re investing in the best possible treatment and care for people in the local area.

“The unit has its own dedicated rehabilitation team who have specialist knowledge and training in therapeutic interventions, rehabilitation and treating patients who have suffered a stroke. The official opening marks the use of new facilities that maximise the rehabilitation and recovery potential of all stroke patients.”

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of community, mental health and learning disability services to the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield but the stroke unit has been developed for Barnsley residents.