Canberra stroke survivors to receive better support
July 23, 2018
Canberra stroke survivors will receive enhanced care and advice after leaving hospital with the launch of a dedicated follow up service in the ACT today called StrokeConnect.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris said the Stroke Foundation’s StrokeConnect program would expand post-discharge care and support for stroke patients in the ACT.
“Canberrans experienced an estimated 700 strokes during 2017,’’ said Minister Fitzharris.
“I’m really pleased we are delivering on our election commitment by offering StrokeConnect to patients who have survived a stroke. The program will improve patient recovery outcomes and reduce readmissions.
“StrokeConnect will demonstrate how post-discharge strategies can improve the health of Canberrans, give eligible patients useful information and connect them with services that will help them to recover following discharge from hospital.
“The Stroke Foundation will manage the program and work with our public hospitals to receive referrals from consenting patients.
“StrokeConnect is a unique opportunity to further look at how a post-discharge care programs work. Valuable data and learning will contribute to the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry, which will be an asset to clinicians and health professionals in the ACT.
“A small steering group of clinicians and Stroke Foundation representatives will monitor StrokeConnect in the ACT across four years to examine the program’s effectiveness and whether StrokeConnect’s approach can be adopted for other disease groups and conditions to ultimately improve health outcomes for other residents of the ACT and surrounding regions,” Minister Fitzharris said.
The ACT Government has committed $320,000 over four years towards the StrokeConnect initiative.
Stroke Foundation ACT State Manager Teresa Howarth welcomed the funding for StrokeConnect and said it would ensure local stroke survivors and their loved ones have the support and services they needed to live well after stroke.
“Stroke is potentially devastating and happens without warning, leaving the individual and their families with no time to prepare.
“This program complements existing support for stroke survivors and their loved ones by providing much needed help on their return home, which for some is described as the most challenging phase of their recovery,” Ms Howarth said.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris said the Stroke Foundation’s StrokeConnect program would expand post-discharge care and support for stroke patients in the ACT.
“Canberrans experienced an estimated 700 strokes during 2017,’’ said Minister Fitzharris.
“I’m really pleased we are delivering on our election commitment by offering StrokeConnect to patients who have survived a stroke. The program will improve patient recovery outcomes and reduce readmissions.
“StrokeConnect will demonstrate how post-discharge strategies can improve the health of Canberrans, give eligible patients useful information and connect them with services that will help them to recover following discharge from hospital.
“The Stroke Foundation will manage the program and work with our public hospitals to receive referrals from consenting patients.
“StrokeConnect is a unique opportunity to further look at how a post-discharge care programs work. Valuable data and learning will contribute to the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry, which will be an asset to clinicians and health professionals in the ACT.
“A small steering group of clinicians and Stroke Foundation representatives will monitor StrokeConnect in the ACT across four years to examine the program’s effectiveness and whether StrokeConnect’s approach can be adopted for other disease groups and conditions to ultimately improve health outcomes for other residents of the ACT and surrounding regions,” Minister Fitzharris said.
The ACT Government has committed $320,000 over four years towards the StrokeConnect initiative.
Stroke Foundation ACT State Manager Teresa Howarth welcomed the funding for StrokeConnect and said it would ensure local stroke survivors and their loved ones have the support and services they needed to live well after stroke.
“Stroke is potentially devastating and happens without warning, leaving the individual and their families with no time to prepare.
“This program complements existing support for stroke survivors and their loved ones by providing much needed help on their return home, which for some is described as the most challenging phase of their recovery,” Ms Howarth said.