Huron Perth District Stroke Centre
The Huron
Perth Healthcare Alliance-Stratford General Hospital site is the designated
Huron Perth District Stroke Centre. As a District Stroke
Centre we provide services based on best practice across the continuum of
stroke care. This includes the areas of prevention, recovery and reintegration.
We are committed to continuing education, training and support programs and
services for stroke both in the hospital and community settings. As part of the
Ontario Stroke System our vision is Fewer Strokes. Better Outcomes.
Patients who are having signs of a stroke are brought to Stratford
General Hospital by Emergency Medical Services (EMS). As a District
Stroke Centre we offer patients an emergency stroke assessment, which
includes a brain scan and if appropriate we can provide the clot busting
drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). We can also assess for
eligibility to have a clot removal surgery called Endovascular
Thrombectomy (EVT). Those who are eligible for EVT are transferred to
London for this procedure.
Once emergency treatments are complete you may be referred to one or more of the following services:
Contact Information:
Joanna Smorhay, Manager Huron Perth District Stroke Centre
Tel: 519-272-8210 ext. 2298 | Email: joanna.smorhay@hpha.ca
Stroke Prevention Clinic
The Stroke Prevention clinic provides rapid access to experts,
diagnostic tests, and treatments for patients who have had, or are at
risk of having signs and symptoms of a recent stroke or Transient
Ischemic Attack (TIA).
Services offered at the clinic include:
- Rapid access to diagnostic tests and treatment
- Risk factor screening and development of prevention strategies
- Education about stroke and TIAs
- Referrals to other services
- Follow up consults, testing and education by internal medicine
Referrals
Patients need a referral from their family doctor or the emergency department to access this service.
Location: Stratford General Hospital - West Building, Level 2
Parking, Entrance & Registration:
Patients who have an appointment at the Stroke Prevention Clinic
should enter Stratford General Hospital through the West Building Entrance off West Gore St.
Parking is available in Lot E off of West Gore St.
COVID-19 self-screening is in effect.
Please register at Patient Registration located just inside the West Building Entrance.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Contact Information: 519-272-8210 ext. 2299 or Toll Free 1-888-275-1102 ext. 2299
Integrated Stroke Unit
The Integrated Stroke Unit manages the acute care and rehabilitation
(rehab) needs of patients who have had a stroke or a transient ischemic
attack (TIA).
Patients remain on the same unit for both their acute and rehab care.
This allows for more timely assessment, management, seamless transitions
and consistency of care throughout your hospitalization and transition
to your home/community.
- Acute Care – you are in the early stages of your recovery.
Your care is based on your individual needs. Taking part in treatment is
important to your recovery.
- Rebhab Care – rehab will help you become stronger and more
independent. Your health care team will help you with your walking,
daily tasks and communication.
Our team of doctors, nurses and therapists will work with you and
your family to meet your goals so that you can regain as much
independence as possible.
The Integrated Stroke Unit has 13 beds (five acute stroke beds and eight stroke rehab beds).
Location:
Stratford General Hospital: East Building, Level 3 – Look for Stroke Unit Signage
Contact Information:
519-272-8210 ext. 2700 or Toll Free: 1-888-275-1102 ext. 2700
Deanna Wright, Manager Intensive Care Unit, ISU/Telemetry, Cardiorespiratory
Tel: 519-272-8210 ext. 2625 | Email: deanna.wright@hpha.ca
Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team
Specialized expertise, coordinated teamwork and a personalized approach to supporting stroke survivors in their communities.
The Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team is a partnership of St.
Joseph’s Health Care London, the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance, Grey
Bruce Health Services and the Southwestern Ontario Stroke Network.
Who can apply?
If
you’ve had a stroke or are a family member or professional caring for a
stroke survivor, you may ask for our services. Stroke survivors, family
members, doctors, SWLHIN Home & Community Care case managers and
other health care providers may make referrals.
Where is the service located?
We have teams based in Thames Valley, Huron Perth and Grey Bruce
counties. Therapy, education and support services will be provided in
your home, long-term care home, and/or the community where you live.
How do you know which kind of therapy will help?
We use specialized assessments for people who’ve had strokes, as well
as information given to us by other health care professionals, you and
your family members. We ask you what activities are most important to
you. Then we create an action plan to help you be able to do these
things or other activities that you enjoy.
How much does it cost?
There is no cost for our services. You may choose to rent or purchase
equipment, that the team recommends, from your local medical equipment
supplier.
What kinds of therapy are available?
Our team members work together and collaboratively with service
providers in your community to make sure you have the therapy, education
and support you need to reach your potential. They’ll also make
recommendations about healthy living to help reduce your chance of
having another stroke or other serious health problem. Each team
consists of the following members:
- Registered Nurse – Helps address questions about your health
and how to prevent another stroke. Reviews your medications. Keeps your
doctor updated.
- Physiotherapist – Helps you to improve strength, flexibility and balance so you can move better.
- Occupational Therapist – Finds ways to make it easier for you
to do daily self care such as dressing, using the bathroom and cooking.
- Speech Language Pathologist – Helps you speak better and helps with problems swallowing.
- Social Worker – Provides you and your family with counselling
to help everyone cope better and adjust to the changes experienced since
your stroke.
- Therapeutic Recreation Specialist – Helps you find leisure activities that you enjoy and you can do in your community.
- Rehabilitation Therapist – Works closely with you to implement the programs recommended by the other health care professionals.
How long does the therapy last?
The amount of therapy you receive depends on your needs and the
rehabilitation goals we set together. Our goal is to help you be more
independent, return to activities that you enjoy and connect you with
local services that will meet your ongoing needs.
What if our family is having a hard time coping?
We understand that families and caregivers often need support and
information to help them during this difficult time. We provide
education and supportive coaching to them as well. We can also help you
find your way through the health care system when you’re unsure where to
go for the right help.
Contact Information
Tel: 519-685-4292 ext. 45034 or Toll Free: 1-866-310-7577
Fax: 519-685-4802
Additional Resources:
Telestroke
The Provincial Telestroke Program is a component of Ontario’s stroke
strategy and provides stroke patients in remote areas of the province
with access to life-saving emergency care that they might not receive
without this real-time expert neurological assessment.
Telestroke uses eHealth Ontario’s Emergency Neuro Image Transfer
System (ENITS), a centralized web-based picture archiving and
communication system for head scans that can be accessed and viewed by
participating neurologists.
The Provincial Telestroke Program:
- provides 24/7 stroke coverage via OTN;
- uses CritiCall Ontario to contact a neurologist; and
- supports discussions between Emergency Department physicians
and a neurologist regarding the treatment of stroke patients, including
the administration of tPA, a special drug that can break up a blood clot
and allow blood supply to return.
HPHA Telestroke Location
Stratford General Hospital Emergency Department
Moving Forward With Stroke
This is a drop-in group is for adult stroke survivors and
caregivers. Through education and peer support, members will be
empowered to improve their health and well-being. This group is offered in Stratford at no cost to the participants.
When:
The first Wednesday of every month (Break in July and August)
Meeting: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. / Social: 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where:
Avondale United Church - 194 Avondale Ave., Stratford (Parking at side and rear of building)
Facilitators:
- Erin Bickell, Social Worker: 519-527-8404 ext. 4288
- Grace Benedict, Registered Nurse: 519-527-8404 ext. 4287
Please feel to contact any of the facilitators with any questions!
Please note the Goderich program is currently on hold.
Educational Resources
Recovery From Stroke
Source Sinai Health
After a stroke, patients and their caregivers are often left with many questions related to recovery.
This educational video series from Sinai Health was developed by health care experts, patients and caregivers and is designed to support you in the recovery journey and provide practical advice you can refer to again and again.
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Aphasia
Source: Aphasia Institute
Talking to Your Family Member/Friend with Aphasia: Conversation Basics
Have you been told that your family member or friend has aphasia? Like most people, you may never have heard about aphasia before now. Or you may be wondering if your family member has aphasia.
This short video is a companion to an Aphasia Institute pamphlet called “Does Your Family Member Have Aphasia? What to Look for and What You Can Do.”