Patient in Flintshire’s new stroke rehab centre thanks consultant for ‘saving him’

The first male patient to be admitted to Flintshire’s new stroke rehab centre has thanked a consultant for ‘saving him.’

A new stroke rehabilitation centre has opened in Deeside Community Hospital, as part of a £3 million programme aimed at improving stroke care across North Wales.

The opening of this centre is part of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s Stroke Improvement Programme.

This programme also includes a new preventative service and an Early Supported Discharge service, where patients recover at home.

The stroke rehabilitation centre at Deeside Hospital includes newly refurbished areas, such as a gym and a homely visitors room.

Patients are encouraged to engage in activities and exercises designed to promote recovery and independence, including daily self-care tasks, walking and communication, and cognitive tasks, all of which are known to enhance the odds of recovery after a stroke.

Carl Lamb, has thanked Flintshire and Wrexham’s new Stroke Consultant Nia Williams for her help in his recovery.

Carl is a joiner by trade and collapsed while working.

After being transferred to Wrexham Maelor Hospital’s stroke ward, he was given the first male bed available in Deeside’s new Stroke Rehabilitation Centre.

“I met Nia when I was transferred to Wrexham Maelor Hospital, and she got me moved to the rehab centre.”

“She is amazing, she saved me and got me to where I am today,” said Carl.

The centre offers a full range of multidisciplinary specialist staff, including physiotherapists, nurses, doctors, psychologists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists, to aid in the recovery of patients.

Carl’s wife, Jo, expressed her appreciation for the continuous care and consideration provided by the entire team.

“I’m just immensely grateful that he is being cared for at Deeside’s Stroke Rehabilitation Centre and feel total appreciation for all the support, care and love we are both receiving from everyone there,” she said.

Stroke Consultant Nia Williams said that the whole team would miss Carl when he returns home. “This is why having a dedicated stroke specialist rehabilitation centre in the community like this is so important, to help boost a patient’s recovery in a specialist setting with a range of healthcare practitioners.”

“It is a privilege to be a part of the development and delivery of this new specialist service for stroke and a truly humbling experience to work with such a dedicated team of individuals who work with stroke patients and their families to gain as much recovery as possible,” she said.

This is the third new specialist community inpatient rehabilitation centre to open in North Wales. One is based in Ysbyty Eryri, Gwynedd, and another in Llandudno General Hospital.