Stroke

We care for patients who have had a stroke and may face potentially long-lasting difficulties.

A stroke is a life-threatening condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.

Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential. The sooner someone gets treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.

If you suspect someone’s having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

The symptoms of a stroke begin very suddenly. Find out what symptoms you should look for. 

About our Stroke Department

We’re based at Wycombe Hospital. We have a dedicated stroke unit which means patients receive the best possible care in one environment specifically planned around their condition. This helps improve their rehabilitation by allowing them to get to know staff and feel more supported during their time in hospital.

We also have a dedicated Cardiac Care and Stroke Receiving Unit for patients who need urgent treatment.

Our facilities include a day room, therapy area and relatives room.

We see patients who need initial investigation, treatment and care immediately following a stroke. We also care for patients who need rehabilitation and work with a number of services across the hospital including physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

What type of treatment will I need?

This will depend on what caused your stroke. Either:

• a blood clot blocking the flow of blood to the brain (ischaemic stroke)
• bleeding in or around the brain (haemorrhagic stroke)

Find out more about the different types of treatment you may need.

Effective treatment of stroke can prevent long-term disability and save lives.

We also create a patient portfolio for you, your family and carers with information, advice and a personal record to help with your recovery when you leave hospital.

Early Discharge Stroke Service

We help patients who have had a recent stroke to return home from hospital as soon as possible. Our team supports you with ongoing care and rehabilitation after you have been discharged. We only discharge you from hospital when you’re medically ready and have the appropriate equipment and support in place.

We are a team of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists. We work with you for up to 6 weeks, creating a treatment plan based on specialist assessment and your rehabilitation goals.

If you still need help after 6 weeks, we’ll refer you to one of our community based services to continue your rehabilitation.

Information for healthcare professionals:

Healthcare colleagues in neighbouring NHS trusts are kindly asked to fill in our referral form when referring patients into our service .