Community Stroke Rehabilitation

We are a community-based team which provides short-term stroke rehabilitation for you and your family and/or carers.

Our team consists of a variety of professionals with knowledge and experience of working with people who have had a stroke, including:

• occupational therapists
• physiotherapists
• speech and language therapists
• neuro specialist therapy assistants
• stroke nurses (east Kent only)

Referrals to Community Stroke Rehabilitation

The majority of referrals are from a hospital stroke unit when you are discharged home. We only see people who have had a new stroke (within 12 months from diagnosis).

There are two pathways:

1. Early supported discharge from hospital

   If it is appropriate, you may be able to go home earlier. Intensity levels will be based on clinical need and will be agreed on your initial assessment.

2. Stroke pathway

   • We will assess your needs and decide which professionals should see you and how often you should be seen.
   • We will provide specific assessments and set goals with you for your rehabilitation.
   • Therapy takes place in your home and in your local community.
   • On achievement of your goals, you will be discharged from the team.

Our aims

• To provide education and information about stroke and your rehabilitation.
• To enable you to live as independently as possible.
• To continue your rehabilitation in the community following discharge from hospital.
• To help you adapt to living with your stroke.
• To actively involve and support you, your family and carers in all aspects of your rehabilitation programme.

How many visits

The number of visits will depend on your individual needs and will vary from person to person. Your needs and goals will be continuously reassessed. We will discuss with you when you are ready for discharge.

What happens next?

At the end of our input, we will give you and/or your carers exercises and advice on how to maintain and continue your progress.

If appropriate, we will refer you on to other services. These may include:

• Stroke Association
• Different strokes
• Headway
• East Kent Strokes
• Expert Patients Programme (currently in east Kent only)
• Age UK
• Kent Social Services

Contact us

The Community Neurological Rehabilitation Team

East Kent
0300 7900 389
kentchft.ekentadmincrta@nhs.net

West Kent
0300 1234 145
kentchft.cnrt-@nhs.net

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Local referral unit
kentchft.localreferralunit@nhs.net

East Kent
0300 123 0915

West Kent
0300 123 1950