Luton’s new integrated stroke service set up to help local people and their families affected by stroke was officially opened yesterday by Lord Lingfield.
While this was the official opening, the centre, which is funded by Luton Borough Council with a grant from Beds & Herts Heart and Stroke Network for a twelve month period, has been operating since October last year.
The centre supports local stroke survivors like Tony Marsden, 63 from Luton, who had a stroke in February 2010 and whose ability to communicate has been affected as a result. Attending the centre has helped Tony and other stroke survivors to learn new skills and regain their confidence through group and one-to-one support.
A partnership between The Stroke Association, Luton Borough Council, NHS Luton, Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury (ARNI) and Beds & Herts Heart and Stroke Network; the service was developed in response to feedback from residents affected by stroke who highlighted the need for more information about the condition and available help.
As well as aiming to raise general awareness about stroke, the new service includes specialist therapies by Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury (ARNI) instructors. Rehabilitation sessions are run once a week by three trainers, with six clients on the programme at any one time. There is also a weekly drop in session for those who have completed the programme.
Facilities within the centre include cross-trainers, treadmills, recumbent cycles, an upright cycle, parallel bars and an ergometer. There are also plenty of mats, medicine balls, gym balls, a neurogripper, sticks and a variety of handheld soft balls to help clients with their rehabilitation.
The service will be expanding in the coming months and years and is expected to cater for many more clients at any one time, and to operate at other locations across Luton.
Rebecca Chatterton, Stroke Development Officer in Luton says: “It is estimated that there are about 300 strokes a year in Luton with around a third of these causing moderate to severe long term disability. We are very aware through our work so far, that there is a huge need for and real interest in this new facility. We are delighted at the positive and inspirational feedback we have received from those like Tony who attend the sessions. Anyone requiring information about future sessions and how they can help in the life after stroke journey can contact me at The Stroke Association on
01582 891330 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 01582 891330 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or Polly Parrish at Chaul End Day Services on
01582 557155 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 01582 557155 end_of_the_skype_highlighting ."
Cllr Shiela Roden, Portfolio Holder for adult social care, said: “This really is a first class centre which has already helped families get back to normal life so quickly after a stroke. From an initial £5,000 investment which has allowed clients to undergo intensive rehabilitation to get them back on their feet, we estimate that £43,000 has already been saved on future health social care services that would have otherwise been needed.”
If you would like further information about stroke or The Stroke Association, please contact the Stroke Information Service on
0303 30 33 100 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0303 30 33 100 end_of_the_skype_highlighting , or visit the website at
www.stroke.org.uk.
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