Stroke unit moves to boost care for patients

THE Bradford Royal Infirmary’s Stroke Unit is moving into a new home following a £400,000 scheme meaning it can accommodate more patients.

The unit moved into ward nine from ward 24 after a refit which took more than two months to complete. It means the unit can now cater for up to 23 patients instead of the previous 14.

“Ward nine provides a much better environment for stroke patients,” said consultant stroke physician, Dr Chris Patterson. “There is considerably more space around the bed areas with tracking hoists over each bed to facilitate patient transfers.

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“The most dependent patients are now more visible from the nursing station and the new physiological monitoring equipment which we’ve purchased will aid their early care.

“The increase in bed numbers improves our ability to admit patients directly from A&E – which is of great benefit to the patients since early specialist stroke care is vital in reducing complications and maximising recovery. Moving to the new ward has lifted the spirits of the whole team.”

The revamped ward is now split into three bays with four single side rooms and four new wet rooms which are fully accessible for patients with disabilities.

Each bed is serviced by an over-bed track hoist facility which means that patients can be lifted in and out of bed easily.

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“The bathroom and shower facilities are luxurious compared with the previous accommodation,” added Dr Patterson.

The new ward also boasts a clinic room to allow assessment of patients who have had a mini-stroke and for neurology procedures. There is also a separate space for staff meetings and a quiet area to talk to relatives as well as a new therapy room on the ward itself.

Last year, the unit employed two stroke researchers, in conjunction with the Yorkshire Stroke Research Network, to increase the recruitment of stroke patients for clinical trials.