Stroke care

Patients' experiences of stroke care

Communication:

a. "It was very difficult to get information on what she was entitled to".

b . "My wife was scared after her stroke, you need someone to explain the illness".

Going Home:

a. "My wife was a nurse so she knew what to expect, but she wasn't consulted about my care".

b. "She was just discharged and forgotten about".

c. "She was on a load of tablets, no-one ever told us what they were".

d . "He needed a wheelchair but was sent home without one, it took two weeks and had to be collected".

Community Services:

a. "I was on a waiting list for physio, it was a terrible limbo situation, would I slip back?".

b. "We were assured by the medical team that services were available but they never materialised, the hospital and community weren't working together".

c. "She was on three hours home help a day, then it was cut to one hour/day, then stopped without any notification. After appeal she was given one and a half hours per week".

Source: Irish National Audit of Stroke Care, The Irish Heart Foundation

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times