In hospital

In the first few days after a stroke, care focuses on assessment and preventing complications. Once you are stable, the stroke team will work with you on a rehabilitation programme to help you overcome or learn to cope with any damage the stroke has caused, to help you regain as much independence as possible. The priority is for you to leave hospital as soon as you are fit enough.

Leaving hospital

Before you leave hospital a discharge plan will be agreed with you so you know what services and support you will receive, when you will receive them, and who will be coming to see you. Local community rehabilitation teams will support you once you leave hospital.

Follow-up care

After discharge from hospital, you will be seen by your GP, a practice nurse or district nurse and reviewed in a stroke review clinic at six weeks and six months after your stroke.

Annual assessments and reviews will be arranged by your GP.

Your GP is the first point of contact for any medical problems after you leave hospital.

They will be monitoring your ongoing health and seeing you for regular checks on your blood pressure, cholesterol and any other risk factors you have, with the aim of trying to reduce your risk of further stroke.

The main stroke symptoms can be remembered with the word FAST:

• Face– the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.
• Arms– the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
• Speech– their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you’re saying to them.
• Time– it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.