stroke user network resources
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stroke user network resources

On this page we are providing a wide range of information and links to the websites of organisations and services and to documents which we think will be of interest to people living with stroke, carers and professionals.

We cannot be responsible for the content of other websites but believe that the sites are reputable sources of information. We hope you find these helpful.

Here is an overview of some important developments in stroke services, both national and local, over the past four years.

The National Stroke Strategy http://tinyurl.com/2rhrhr published in December 2007, provided a quality framework against which local services can secure improvements to stroke services and address health inequalities. The Strategy set a clear direction for the development of stroke services and establishment of stroke networks in England over the next ten years.

This was followed in November 2008 by the publication of the Stroke Strategy for London http://tinyurl.com/3d3g7cf which highlighted the wide variation in the quality of stroke care and the rates of death across hospitals in the region. While improving hospital stroke care has been a key focus of the step-change required in London stroke care, improving stroke prevention and rehabilitation services are now being addressed in terms of commissioning priorities.

The Care Quality Commission Stroke Care Review http://www.cqc.org.uk/reviewsandstudies/strokeservices.cfm was an England-wide review looking at the care people receive if they have had a stroke:
• acute care in hospital, after the initial ‘hyper-acute’ stage
• how people who have had a stroke are discharged from hospital
• whether they have access to rehabilitation in hospital and in the community
• what ongoing care and support they receive

The Stroke rehabilitation guide: supporting London commissioners to commission quality services in 2010/11 http://tinyurl.com/3n4vctv recommended that:

• Every PCT should commission inpatient rehabilitation that is available for all stroke patients, a community rehabilitation service for stroke patients, delivered by staff with specialist stroke skills and an early supported discharge service for people who would benefit.
• For the first 12 months following stroke, all people who have had a stroke and their carers should have a defined review programme with assessment of ongoing medical, social and emotional needs as, both as an inpatient and in the community.

A key document is Life after stroke: commissioning guide (NHS London, October 2010) http://tinyurl.com/3vez6wt which advises on the development and improvement of services to stroke survivors living in their local communities. The guide articulates some key principles on which commissioning should be based.

The South London Cardiac and Stroke Network http://www.slcsn.nhs.uk/ brings together healthcare partners across nine boroughs including Lambeth and Southwark. It is responsible for the Accelerating Stroke Improvement programme which provides intensive whole-system support to services to accelerate implementation of the quality markers in the National Stroke Strategy with the aim of achieving key milestones in care across the stroke pathway covering prevention, acute services, and long-term care. One of the 9 key indicators relates to the proportion of stroke patients who are reviewed at six months after leaving hospital.

SLCSN has recently published Six Month Reviews after Stroke (Alice Jenner) which recommends that patients and carers should be involved in the design of local review processes and indicates the areas - medical, physical, emotional, leisure and social and work - which should be assessed by the reviews. Some of the key issues which people consulted felt should be included are those which are provided for through the Lambeth Stroke Care Advisory Service and could be further developed by this project:
• addressing isolation arising from lack of transport, lack of group support
• buddying/befriending
• advocacy
• time banking to support carers
• providing information on local resources on activities
• peer support – opportunities to link into groups / networks of people with shared experiences

The SLCSN is engaging with stroke survivors and carers across the sub-region through its People Bank initiative. A number of ways for people to participate are being developed including interviews, patient diaries, questionnaires and focus groups. 


  • Services for people with stroke and their carers in Lambeth
  • National, London and local stroke organisations
  • National Stroke Strategy and Policy
  • NHS London Stroke Strategy and Policy
  • South East London Cardiac and Stroke Network
  • Lambeth and Southwark Stroke Modernisation Initiative

    • Services for people with stroke and their carers in Lambeth

    There are a range of services for people living with stroke and their carers in Lambeth. Some of the main ones are provided by Lambeth Council and Lambeth Primary Care Trust. Others are provided by local voluntary organisations. We have not attempted to include a comprehensive list here but have concentrated on giving you details of who to contact for advice and information if you want to find out about specific services which can help.

    • Where to find out about services in Lambeth

      To find out more about services for people with stroke in Lambeth, whether provided by the NHS, Lambeth Council or the voluntary sector, contact:

      Lambeth Resolve, the information, advice and advocacy service for older and disabled people and adults with long term illnesses - see Lambeth Resolve webpage

      or use Lambeth Council’s new at Your Care Your Way website

    • Lambeth Stroke Care Advisory Service

      The service provides needs-led advice, information, emotional and practical support to stroke survivors and their carers/families.  The service also aims to run peer support and carer support groups and hold “Back to Life” workshops to assist stroke survivors to reintegrate back into the community.
      To find out more information about the service, please contact the Stroke Care Advisors:

      Carole Coupe and Vickie Parnacott
      The Brix at St. Matthews
      St. Matthews Church
      Brixton Hill
      SW2 1JF
      telephone:  0207 733 9927

      http://www.stroke.org.uk

      Stroke Helpline: 0845 3033 100

    National, London and local stroke organisations

    There are a number of charities and community organisations which provide services for people living with stroke, families and other carers and professionals working in the stroke field. Find out what they can offer by visiting their websites :

    • The Stroke Association

      The Stroke Association is the only UK wide charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation, and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its Rehabilitation and Support Services. These include Communication Support, Family and Carer Support, information services and welfare grants. It also campaigns, educates and informs to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society. Find out more at The Stroke Association website. 

    • Connect - the communication disability network

      Connect is a national charity. Its vision is a world where people with aphasia (communication disability) can find opportunity and fulfilment. It works to promote effective services, new opportunities and a better quality of life for people living with aphasia. Find out more about its work at Connect website

    • Speakability

      Speakability is a national charity dedicated to supporting and empowering people with aphasia and their carers. Find out more at Speakability website

    • Different Strokes

      Different Strokes helps stroke survivors of working age to optimise their recovery, take control of their own lives and regain as much independence as possible by offering ‘rehabilitative services’, information and advice. Find out more at Different Strokes website

    • Time and Talents Stroke Club

      Time and Talents is a charity based in Rotherhithe which works with local communities in Southwark. Amongst the activities it supports is a Stroke Club for stroke survivors of all ages and their carers which meets on Wednesday afternoons. It can be contacted at Time and Talents website

    • InterAct Reading Service

      InterAct provide trained actors to visit and read to people with stroke in hospitals and stroke clubs. Find out more about their service at InterAct website

    National Stroke Strategy and Policy

    In this section you can find information about the National Stroke Strategy 2007 and other Government strategies and policies of particular relevance to people living with stroke

    • National Stroke Strategy 2007

      This national strategy is intended to provide a quality framework to secure improvements to stroke services, to provide guidance and support to commissioners and strategic health authorities and social care, and inform the expectations of patients and their families by providing a guide to high quality health/social care services. You can download the full strategy or an easy to read version from the Department of Health website here Department of Health National Stroke Strategy

    • NHS Stroke Improvement Website

      The Stroke Improvement Website has been set up to support the work of the regional Stroke Care Networks. It contains a wide range of information about service initiatives and developing good practice. You can access it here Stroke Improvement Website

    NHS London Stroke Strategy and Policy

    Information about the plans to improve stroke services across London can be found here.

    • London Stroke Strategy

      A major step-change for NHS stroke services in the capital has been announced. The London stroke strategy highlights plans to redesign hospital stroke care, alongside improvements in stroke prevention and rehabilitation services. New specialist stroke units will be introduced around the capital, ensuring every Londoner is within no more than 30 minutes travel time. The number of stroke patients likely to regain independence increases by up to 25 per cent if treated in a specialist centre. This could save up to 400 lives every year. You can download the strategy and read more about these plans at the Healthcare for London website here London Stroke Strategy

    South East London Cardiac and Stroke Network

    Information about the work of the Stroke Care Network covering Lambeth, Southwark and four other boroughs in South East London.

    • South East London Stroke Care Network

      South East London Cardiac Network was established in April 2005 to ensure equitable cardiac services for all patients in the 6 boroughs of South East London – Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. Following publication of the National Stroke Strategy it now includes stroke services in its responsibilities. It is now integrated with the body which originally covered south west London. For more information see http://www.slcsn.nhs.uk/index.html

    Lambeth and Southwark Stroke Modernisation Initiative

    This major programme of service improvements produced a wide range of reports and other publications on its work from 2005 – 2008.