Closing the Gap:

Meeting the Emotional Wellbeing Needs

of Stroke Survivors & Carers -

Liverpool Service Model

Kate Charles: Head of Stroke Support

• Stroke Recovery Partnership model in

Liverpool

• Emotional Support Service

• How this model supports stroke patients in

their emotional recovery

• Impact / Outcomes

Development of Stroke Recovery

Partnership in Liverpool

• Liverpool CCG identified stroke as a priority

• Working with CCG, NHS Trusts and Stroke

Association

• Gap in emotional support / Psychology

Stroke Recovery Service

Our Stroke Recovery Service (SRS) provides tailored

support from hospital to home and into the longer term by

addressing the practical, emotional and physical needsof stroke survivors and their families or carers

Service Elements Talking about thoughts and

feelings: Counselling sessions

Deal with any issues that are

preventing the stroke

survivor/carer from meeting their

goals

Develop coping skills, increasing

their sense of control over their life

Feel more confident and positive

Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100

stroke.org.uk

Service structure• Referrals direct from Psychology

or Stroke Recovery Service

• Assess for appropriate support

• Step up to Clinical Psychology

• Joint working with Clinical

Psychology service

• Psychology provide clinical

supervision

Demonstrating Outcomes• GAD – 7

• PHQ – 9

• Adapted PEI (Patient Enablement

Instrument) completed at the end

of block of counselling

STATEMENTSMuch

betterBetter

Same

or less

Not

applica

ble

Able to cope with life1 2 3 4

Able to understand the emotional

effects of stroke 1 2 3 4

Able to understand your problems 1 2 3 4

Able to cope with your problems 1 2 3 4

Able to keep yourself healthy and well 1 2 3 4

Able to help yourself 1 2 3 4

Client Feedback/Service Impact

Strengths of the service & impact

•Strong links with key NHS partners creating an

integrated service

•Work collaboratively with other third sector and

voluntary organisations

•Stepped support: offering simpler interventions first

and then progressing on to more complex

interventions if required

•Always bringing in new and innovative ways of working

•Stroke bed day usage decreased by 5% (761 bed

days)

Peer Support

Source: Reg Morris, Cardiff University 2016

Emotional Wellbeing Group:

Partners & FamiliesDeveloped in conjunction with clinical psychology

Weekly education group for families of stroke survivors

Aims:

Increasing understanding of emotional impact of stroke and

how this may impact on family life and dynamics

Develop coping strategies

Peer support

Wellbeing Room

The room provides a positive sense of wellbeing which would

assist the individual(s) to be able to cope with the demands of

life after stroke.

Demonstrated outcomes:

• Decreased stress and psychological distress

• Enhanced mental health and functioning,

• Increased emotion regulation and self-control

Together we can conquer stroke

Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100

stroke.org.uk