We hope you will have an enjoyable and fulfilling placement, where you will be welcomed by 'Team Stroke' and given the opportunity to learn and develop as a Student Nurse.

Feel free to contact us ahead of your placement to learn who your Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor will be, and to be given your first shifts.......

Deputy Ward Manager - Sarah Pritchard

Deputy Ward Manager - Rachel Lloyd-Davies

Feel free to contact the ward in advance of your placement for an informal visit;

Tel: 01633 493192 or 01633 493999

The Unit operates 24/7 and shift work comprises of Long Days and Nights (0700-1940 or 1900-0740).

Our Team comprises of:

• Ward Manager

• 2 x Deputy Ward Managers

• Ward Clerk

• 16 x Band 5 RNs

• 5 x Band 3 HCSWs

• 15 x Band 2 HCSWs

  
  

We are supported by our dedicated Multidisciplinary Team:

• Stroke Consultants

• Stroke Clinical Nurse Specialists

• SALT, Physios, Occupational Therapists & Dieticians

Some options include:

• Stroke Clinical Nurse Specialist

• Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)

• Physiotherapy (PT)

• Occupational Therapy (OT)

• Dieticians

This is an overarching system which provides care for stroke patients from admission to recovery.

The pathway includes:

• Rapid Assessment

• CT Scan

• Treatment

• Rehabilitation

• Long-term Management

• Support

  
  

We also have targets to meet (known as SSNAP Targets - Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme) which are interventions that a stroke patient should receive 'timely' within the acute phase.

The Stroke Pathway is ultimately designed to improve the quality of care and outcomes for stroke patients.

Some patients will be discharged home (some needing support from a Community Neuro Rehab Service - CNRS), however the majority of our patients will require some long-term rehabilitation.

When patients are determined by the medical team as being 'medically stable for rehabilitation', we will aim to step that patient down to our dedicated Stroke Rehabilitation Unit which is based in YYF (Bargoed and Oakdale Wards).

We have a daily conference call with YYF at 1000hrs to communicate these patients, in order to ensure a smooth and seamless flow.

• A stroke occurs when the blood supply to parts of the brain are interrupted, usually due to a blocked or burst blood vessel. The blood supply carries oxygen and nutrients, which are essential for the brain to function normally. When oxygen and nutrients can no longer reach parts of the brain, vital brain cells are damaged and may die.

• The onset of stroke is sudden and the effects on the body are immediate.

  
  

• Think FAST:

  F : acial drooping

  A : rm weakness

  S : peech difficulties

  T : ime to call emergency service

If you want to gain more insight in stroke care prior or during your placements, you can access the above website resource which will give you core knowledge and skills.

In the meantime, why not look up some of the commonly used medications we use on HASU and identify what they are used for, along with their contraindications - this will help with those all important medication rounds you will complete with your Practice Supervisor / Assessor.

We are looking forward to meeting you and supporting you!