Provision of a Life After Stroke Support Service

Tender description

The NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, hosted by Velindre NHS Trust are acting on behalf of Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board who sought to establish a contract for the provision of a Life After Stroke Support Service. The Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board provides stroke care for residents of all Cardiff and Vale population. The stroke pathway incorporates all elements of stroke care including stroke prevention, secondary inpatient care, outpatients, TIA clinics and rehabilitation. Acute services are provided from the University Hospital of Wales and inpatient Rehabilitation services from University Hospital Llandough and the community. The UHB is looking to commission a provider to deliver a range of activities/services which support adults diagnosed with a stroke, their family and carers with high quality information, advice and emotional support. The purpose of these activities is to facilitate a smooth transition from hospital to home and ensure stroke survivors and carers feel supported on returning home. People who have had a stoke may need to receive support in a timely way to help them with their psychological and emotional wellbeing. Once people have returned home their needs and circumstances continue to change. People may need support to adjust their lifestyles to reduce the chance of another stroke, to return to work or to cope with altered roles and relationships and the emotional and psychological impact of stroke. Other needs, including those of carers and family members, are also likely to change as people learn to deal with stroke related disabilities. There needs to be flexibility for how these activities/services would be shaped to best meet the needs of patients recovering from a stroke and their carers in Cardiff and the Vale during the current pandemic and post pandemic. Suggested outputs are to establish and facilitate social opportunities, befriending, awareness events, and provide group peer support and 1:1 support for carers and stroke survivors. People who have suffered from a stroke can benefit from peer support networking groups, providing emotional, affirmational and informational support. Peer support can facilitate improvements in psychosocial wellbeing for stroke survivors and carers.