SCOTT HAMMOND
Nelson Marlborough District Health Board stroke specialist Dr Suzanne Busch and Christchurch occupational therapist Clare Jamieson spoke at the first in-house stroke training day at Blenheims Wairau Hospital.
A business case is being lodged for more physiotherapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists to boost rehabilitation services within Nelson Marlborough District Health Board.
Wairau Hospital geriatrician and stroke physician Andrew Wilson previously said a shortage of physiotherapists and occupational therapists hampered the hospital's ability to have an organised stroke service.
The Ministry of Health say all district health boards should have an organised stroke service that comprised of a lead stroke physician, a lead stroke nurse, acute support and community rehabilitation.
A briefing paper on stroke services in Nelson Marlborough District Health Board said Wairau does not have a ATR (assessment, treatment and rehabilitation) community rehabilitation team and stroke patients had limited access to outpatient community rehabilitation services after their discharge.
There was no lead stroke nurse at Nelson and Wairau hospitals, and up to 50 per cent of stroke patients are discharged without physiotherapy or occupational therapy assessment and advice.
Stroke physician Dr Suzanne Busch said the shortage of allied health professionals was a nationwide problem and they were "few and far between".
A board business case was looking at more allied health professionals to boost rehabilitation services, she said. "An organised stroke service is complicated if we had more allied health resources available we could do more.
"The biggest need is after discharge. It is an awful illness to be struck down with and is really hard to manage afterwards.
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DHB being asked for more stroke staff