STROKE services across Gwent are to be revolutionised after a re-design of new care pathways for patients thanks to the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

The clinically-led service re-design features input from healthcare professionals as well as patients, the Stroke Association, the Community Health Council, the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and neighbouring Heath Boards.

The pathway was launched on Monday and includes the development of a specialist hyper-acute stroke unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital.

Going forward, new patients admitted will spend their first three days in hospital on the new unit, receiving intensive support such as daily therapy.

Stroke patients can be discharged directly from the hyper-acute stroke unit and will continue to have rehabilitation at their own homes from a specialist team.

This will includes professionals from the fields of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, speech and language therapy, nursing and psychology.

Patients requiring a longer stay in hospital will be transferred to specialist acute and rehabilitation stroke wards at Nevill Hall, Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr and St Woolos hospitals.

On Tuesday, the deputy health minister Vaughan Gething AM visited the Royal Gwent Hospital to see the new stroke unit and meet staff and patients.

“We are improving stroke care right across Wales,” said Mr Gething.

“Other parts of the country can learn from what is being done here in Gwent, with stroke services being brought into a smaller number of specialised centres to improve patient care.”

John Jenkins, of Newport, was visiting a friend who is currently a patient in the new stroke unit and was impressed with the set up.

“My friend was very ill when he came, but the treatment that my friend has had here has been absolutely phenomenal and now he’s sat up and communicating with us,” he said.

“He’s been given every care and every bit of attention that he could possibly need. The staff have been absolutely amazing.”

Alison Shakeshaft, executive director of therapies and health science, said: “This exciting development is the culmination of a significant programme of re-design for stroke services to enable consistent, equitable and evidence-based stroke care for the population we serve.

“The new stroke service will enable us to provide high quality, specialist stroke care, based on the best evidence and clinical standards, across the entire pathway including stroke prevention, emergency care, and rehabilitation. “The end result will be better patient outcomes and experience,” she added.