Tears of joy as stroke unit celebrates its first year

Paul cuts the cake with his wife Jacqueline and KCHFT's Vicki Pout

There were tears of joy as patients thanked the team who ‘gave them their life back’ as the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) specialist stroke rehab unit celebrated one year of supporting patients to recover.

At an afternoon tea party to mark the anniversary, patients spoke about how they had been helped to walk again, become independent and get back to the things they love. They celebrated recoveries, reminisced about their time on the ward and wrote their thank yous and recollections in a memory book.

The unit offers round the clock care and rehabilitation, seven-days-a-week. Therapy and care plans are tailored to what each individual wants to work towards, with exercises and activities that will help them get home and back to doing the things they love.

Former patient Paul Robbins, 67, from Sholden, near Deal, cut the cake and gave a heartfelt thank you to the ward team, saying: “To the people who gave me life back… I love you all. The NHS saved my life.”

Therapy Lead Vicki Pout said: “Our first year has been fantastic. It has been a privilege to work with the patients and team over the past year. Our patients have been receptive to the therapy and the team has always been willing to try new things. It is the best place I have ever worked.”

KCHFT’s Deputy Chief Executive Pauline Butterworth was among the guests. She said: “This is a new model of care for us which is very focussed on the patient and their individual needs. It is about patients becoming independent and being confident when they go home. It’s exciting to try something new and it has been very successful.”

Guests included former patients, those currently receiving care on the ward at Westbrook House, Margate, families, carers and colleagues.

Former patient Andrew Killian, 67, from Folkestone, went along with his wife Shirley. He said: “They helped me get back on my feet and to walk again. They got me doing physio and socialising and doing more things for myself. The staff are kind, helpful and go beyond what you would expect.”

James Linsley, 76, from Broadstairs, was a patient for six weeks. He said: “They took very good care of me and the physios told me what I needed to do. I came back to see the people who were on the ward with me and the staff. I wanted them to see how well I’m doing. I don’t even use a walking stick now.”

June Finch-Hawkes, 80, from Birchington was at the unit for four weeks, after having a stroke while walking back from a trip to the shops. She said: “Being at the unit gave me a chance to recover. I needed help to walk. I had a lot of physiotherapy and the physiotherapist was lovely.”

Jessica and Fay Woodward and their mum Linda Broadbridge, who all work on the ward as domestics, enjoyed chatting with former patients at the party. Jessica said: “We tidy patient rooms and sit and talk with them. It’s a rewarding job as we get to be part of their journey and we see the progress they make.”

The ward has a multi-disciplinary team which includes nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dietitians, helping people to regain their independence after a stroke. Patients arrive at the ward from acute hospitals and the community. Patients eat their meals together and there are group therapy sessions, where they encourage and support each other.

The local community made kind donations towards the party. As well as support from KCHFT’s i care charity, there were also donations from local accountant Ian Broughton, from Gross Margin, Paige Featherstone, from Marvellous Home And Party Glam and Maya’s Community Support Centre.

The unit is raising money for more specialist gym equipment and an interactive motion activated projector, to encourage patients to move more. To give support, visit the Westbrook House Stroke Rehabilitation Unit Just Giving page.