It was a real honour to be invited back to the rehab unit at West Berkshire Community Hospital, where I spent 6 weeks following my stroke in October 2020, to see the equipment they were able to purchase as a result of the fundraising triathlon I did last year for the West Berkshire Community Hospital League of Friends, as a way to ensure the team had the equipment they need to continue to make a difference to stroke survivors lives.
On the 17 October 2020 I had a stroke leaving me paralysed down one side and unable to speak without slurring. The Neuro Rehab Team at West Berkshire Hospital put me back on the road to a normal life and worked wonders, however working with other rehabilitation units I realised how much more they could achieve with the right equipment. So I decided to attempt to raise as much money as I could by challenging myself to something that I enjoyed before my stoke, a triathlon. I set out to finish a sprint triathlon in July 2021, something that before my stroke I would complete easily. However since then I’d had to learn to walk, run, cycle and swim again. I conquered the Banana Tri! (400m open water swim, 21km bike and 5km run) finishing in 1:24 smashing my 2 hour target and managed to go the whole way without stopping including the run where I didn’t even have to walk and more importantly raising more money than I had dreamed I would.
It was great to see everything that the team have been able to get, and speak to people who were benefiting from the focussed rehabilitation I know that it will make a difference to both survivors of neurological conditions and as important the physios and OTs who work tirelessly to rebuild survivors lives.
Gavin McLaughlin
At West Berkshire Community Hospital, the inpatient neuro-rehabilitation unit provides specialised therapy for 8 patients with neurological conditions ranging from acute stroke to long-term conditions such as MS.
In late 2020 we worked with a patient whose experience of neuro-rehabilitation and stroke recovery inspired him to fundraise for equipment for the unit to help future patients. He completed a sponsored triathlon.
As part of his fundraising efforts, he engaged the support of the League of Friends who met with the Neuro Rehab Therapy Team to understand our needs and our role within the local community. From this meeting, it was suggested that we look more widely at our resources and what equipment and technology would improve the neuro rehab service we offer. We were encouraged to think broadly and bid for additional funds to equip the unit with up-to-date resources that would enable us to improve the experience and outcome of neuro rehabilitation.
Our final bid to the League of Friends was for £38,000. Items purchased included large pieces of equipment including a body-weight support gait trainer with mobile treadmill, an assistive exercise bike and parallel bars. These have enabled us to offer treatments which were simply unavailable previously, resulting in higher quality neurorehabilitation for the patients. This has also resulted in increased job satisfaction for the therapy staff and improved welfare with less physical effort needed for some aspects of getting people back on their feet.
In addition, smaller items such as a GripAble for hand exercises, exercise weights and electrical muscle stimulator units were purchased. These can be used to supplement ‘hands-on’ treatment sessions and help to motivate and engage our patients which is so important for rehabilitation. It also provides opportunities for practise and can help to mitigate the ‘downtime’ that can be part of hospital life.
The money we have received from League of Friends has made a significant difference to the therapy we are able to offer to our patients. Members of the League of Friends Committee have supported our Team through the process of making a bid, sourcing equipment and securing the best deals.
The therapy environment had a much-needed upgrade, which improves the lives of all our patients during their stay with us.
Ruth Aitken
Physiotherapist
Community Based Neuro Rehab Team
