News

Strong backing for new Mildura stroke group

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 06:46:00

A support group for people recovering from stroke has been set up in Mildura.

There is an average of about 80 cases of stroke in Mildura each year, and the group aims to support patients and their carers as they manage their recovery.
The setup of the group has been developed over the past three months by the Mildura Base Hospital, but from today it will operate independently with the support of the Stroke Association of Victoria.
MBH speech pathologist Jade Scott has worked with community members to get the group running and says it will be a valuable resource for stroke patients.
“We found that people felt well-supported in the early days and weeks after their stroke, particularly with the Stroke Unit we now have in place at the hospital,” Ms Scott said.
“But we were finding patients could feel quite isolated as they come to the end of their rehabilitation journey and were no longer under such close interaction with the clinical services,” she said.
“So it could be some months down the track where people were feeling highly emotional, frustrated and alone.  Often the best help at that time is the support of people who have experienced what they are going through.”
Stroke patient Donald McMaster was one of the instigators of the community-based group.
“The clinical services and supports in my own rehabilitation were great,” he said.
“But as you move on from those clinical hospital-based services you reach a certain point in your recovery where it feels the support you need most is from people who’ve been through what you are going through,” he said.
Ms Scott said the hospital was pleased to get the group up and running and to see if there was enough interest.
“The answer has been a very resounding ‘yes’.  From now, the group will move out into a community setting,” she explained.
“We know that in many cases stroke patients feel most comfortable and relaxed if the group has a base away from the clinical setting of the hospital.”
Stroke survivors and their carers are welcome at the Stroke Support Group and information and contact details are available from Jade Scott or Joanne Cottrell at Mildura Base Hospital.