Kiran - Stroke Review Coordinator
- Allied Health Professional (AHP)
- Name of service: Lewisham Community Therapies
- Describe your role in three words: Support, holism, empathy
What does your day look like from sunrise to sunset?
My days are very varied. I begin work remotely twice a week, usually starting at 8:30am with my emails, caseload management, general admin tasks and a review of the notes. The stroke reviews are carried out either via telephone, if the patient prefers or face to face by driving to visit stroke patients in their homes, residential homes or care homes. Afterwards, I finalise my notes either in the office or at home.
How does your service support the residents of south east London?
Our service helps to provide continuity of care for people living in the borough of Lewisham who have recently been discharged from a hospital stroke ward. We support our patients through a life-changing event, and as such we work alongside a number of teams across the community and acute services, to provide holistic care.
What’s the best way of explaining your role in the team?
I review and assess Lewisham residents 6-months post-stroke. The assessment identifies unmet needs or challenges which patients face. I then complete an action plan to support them. Additionally, I take the time to ask patients about their mental wellbeing, as many of the patients have just gone through a huge change.
Tell us about a time when you felt you made a difference to someone
I assisted a patient grieving the loss of their child after suffering a stroke. Initially, they refused care, however, I focused our first session on their late child, using a person-centred approach to identify unmet needs. I then coordinated bereavement support, which the patient was thankful for, resulting in better engagement with the service.
What do you love about your role?
This role allows me to meet people from all walks of life. When I carry out a review, I listen to patients tell me about their journey and experience and it doesn’t feel like a job. This role has helped me evolve as a person and changed my approach to life and others. Additionally, I love the level of responsibility I am given and the independence of the role.
What advice would you give to someone starting in this role or keen to work in a similar service?
Remember that you are exploring their health journey alongside the patient, show compassion, curiosity and empathy. This is a great role for someone who wants their work to have a positive impact that likes problem solving and working proactively.