Stroke Care

Our specialist stroke unit at University Hospital provides high quality care for patients who have had a stroke or a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA). A stroke is a condition where the blood supply to part of the brain has been cut off. This can be caused by a blockage to the blood flow (an ischaemic stroke) or by a bleed (haemorrhage).

A TIA, also called a ‘mini stroke’, is a condition where the blood supply to part of the brain has been interrupted for a short time. The symptoms are similar to a stroke, but they are temporary, usually only lasting a few minutes to hours. Prompt treatment is essential because the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.

All patients who suffer a stroke in Coventry and Warwickshire will initially be treated at a specialist stroke unit at University Hospital, Coventry.

Patients who need continued treatment in hospital will be transferred to a bedded rehabilitation unit at either George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton or Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital in Warwick. Patients who do not require continued hospital treatment but do need continuing specialist support with their recovery will be treated at home by the Community Stroke Rehabilitation Service.

If you have had a stroke, you will be transferred to the Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) on Ward 41. You will remain in HASU for an average of 72 hours depending on your clinical condition. When you are stable you will transfer to the Acute Stroke Unit (ASU) which includes beds on Ward 41 and Ward 42. During your stay on HASU/ASU you may need further tests, for example: Carotid Ultrasound of your neck arteries, MRI brain scan.

 

Your expected stay on Ward 41/Ward 42 is a maximum of 10 days. During this time you will be assessed by members of our multi-disciplinary team (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy etc) to determine your next step in the pathway.

 

If you are able to be discharged home, you may need ongoing therapy and this is generally provided by the specialist community stroke teams. Your care needs will also be assessed whilst with us to see if you require care support (package of care) on discharge. We have access to an Early Supported Discharge Team (ESD) and Community Integrated Neurological and Stroke Service (CINSS) who enable patients to leave hospital at an early opportunity and have their therapy at home. Your care needs will also be considered and carers will be provided if required.

 

If you require further inpatient rehabilitation, this will take place at either Felix Holt Ward (George Eliot Hospital) or Feldon Ward (Leamington Spa Hospital). If further inpatient rehabilitation is required, you will be transferred to one of these units as a bed becomes available. You/your next of kin will be notified once a bed becomes available and transport will be arranged.

All patients who have suffered a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), no matter where they live in Coventry and Warwickshire, will be taken to University Hospital, Coventry, to be treated by our specialists.

Please note that UHCW will no longer be providing inpatient rehabilitation. If you require inpatient rehabilitation it will be available to you but only at George Eliot Hospital or Leamington Spa Hospital.

We ask that any phone calls to the ward are made after 10am.

Ward 41, Area 1: 02476 967817
Ward 41, Area 2: 02476 967816
Ward 41, Area 4: 02476 967818
Ward Manager: 02476 967818

Email: strokeservice@uhcw.nhs.uk

Please visit the Did We Get it Right? page
For patient information leaflets click here.
For the Stroke Association click here.
For Different Strokes (support for younger stroke survivors) click here.
For NHS Choices, click here for stroke or click here for TIA.