Work has begun on a brand new combined stroke unit at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) which will see patients and staff benefit from specialist acute and rehabilitation care provided all under one roof.
The design of the new unit, which has had clinical and patient involvement, is clinically driven. It is based on national best practice and as well as improving clinical outcomes for patients has job satisfaction benefits for staff.
We want our patients to receive the best possible stroke outcome, to only spend the time that is necessary in hospital and ensure the highest patient and carer satisfaction.
The combined unit will offer a range of benefits for our patients and include:
• Patients who previously deteriorated due to complications while on the rehabilitation unit at Christchurch will no longer need to transfer back to the RBH. This reduces the delay in the rehabilitation process and ultimately the length of hospital stay.
• Acute stroke patients who have been thrombolysed will receive high dependency hyperacute stroke care within a monitored bay.
• Acute stroke patients will be fast-tracked to the Stroke Unit for early multidisciplinary assessment.
• Optimal infection control design means that the unit will never have to close even during an outbreak.
• Access to the right services when they need them.
• Patients will benefit from being cared for by staff with significant stroke expertise.
• A reduction in patient anxiety that is associated with transferring from Bournemouth to Christchurch and getting to know another team.
• Patients and relatives can maintain the rapport developed with staff until discharge.
• Additional advantages of being located close to cardiac services, the Emergency Department, the Acute Admissions Unit and the X-ray Department.
• A seamless patient stroke care pathway.
• Enhanced therapy provision - moving from the current five to seven days a week therapy.
• Purpose built facility with integrated therapeutic provision and assisted daily living facilities for occupational therapy.
• Discharge planning starts on admission for all patients.
The new stroke unit will be located on Wards 27/28 at the RBH so patients and carers will be able to benefit from a garden which links to the lake. Building work will be completed by late October 2011.
To find out more or to view artwork showing what aspects of the new unit will look like, please visit www.rbch.nhs.uk.
Dr Mary Armitage, Medical Director.
medical@rbch.nhs.uk
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