Stroke Training Programmes
Stroke Training Programmes
Annual Report
April 2008 – March 2009
Lynsey Duncan
Stroke Training Co-ordinator, NHS Grampian
Chest, HeartStroke Scotland
Contents Page
Page 3 Stroke Training
Page 3 Stroke Training Highlights
Page 6 Future Developments
Page 7 Summary
Stroke Training
“Has given me a better perspective of the very complex issues involved when someone has a stroke. This in turn has made me feel more confident in my abilities to help the patient’s rehabilitation” (Course Participant, 2008)
Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) in partnership with NHS Grampian Stroke Managed Clinical Network (MCN) have been delivering stroke training courses since 2005. These courses aim to provide a learning environment where members of the multi-disciplinary team, from Health and Social care sectors, may learn from both the content of the course and from one another. The sharing of knowledge and experience can allow people to make changes to their practice which in turn may enhance the care they give to their patient/client.
Between April 2008 and March 2009331staff from across Grampian have received training in stroke. A variety of study days and courses are available which have been designed specifically for the target audience i.e. Care Home Staff Study Days.
Stroke Training Highlights
Current Care in Stroke – part1
“Enjoyed the whole course. Greatly increased knowledge and skills, will improve my interaction with stroke patients.” (Course participant, 2009)
This course was previously titled the Introductory Course in Stroke Care (part 1). CHSS was commissioned by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) to align the content of the part 1 course with the Stroke Core Competencies for Healthcare Staff. This project completed in July 2008 and the recommended changes were made so that all 20 Competencies were incorporated into the part 1 course. The tile was changed to Current Care in Stroke – part 1 to reflect these changes. The part 1 course is now endorsed by NES.
In August the first Current Care in Stroke – part 1 course was held in CrudenBay, North Aberdeenshire. This venue was chosen to meet local demand for training and to support the proposed development of stroke rehabilitation beds in Fraserburgh. Thanks are expressed to all the trainers in the course who worked effortlessly to implement the recommendations from the project.
There continues to be a high demand from Health and Social Care Staff to attend a part 1 course.
Current Care in Stroke – part 2
“I am gaining more confidence after attending these study days and becoming more understanding of what exactly a stroke patient has to deal with emotionally and physically.” (Course Participant, 2008)
This course is intended for staff who have completed the part 1 course and/or wish to further develop their knowledge and skills related to stroke care.This was previously titled the Intermediate Course in Stroke Care (part 2) but the title was changed to maintain a link with the part 1 course.
Two courses were cancelled in 2008 due to low numbers of applications. The reasons for this are unknown but are currently being investigated.
Advanced Study Days in Stroke Care
“Interesting and informative. Exceeded expectations – thanks!” (Course participant, 2008)
Topics for the advanced study days change to reflect local training needs and current issues in stroke. Two advanced days were held in 2008:
1. Tone and Postural management
2. Cognition and Perception after Stroke
Both these days proved to be very popular with Health and Social Care Staff across Grampian. The topics for the advanced days are discussed and agreed with the Grampian Stroke Managed Clinical Network, Education and Training Group.
Single Study Days
“I personally felt this was the best presented and most interesting course I have attended.” (Course Participant, 2009)
Single study days have been designed for Social Service Staff and Care Home Staff. Both these days continue to be popular. These training days can be delivered in any location in Grampian to meet training needs of a particular group of staff. The Deeside Care Home Support Team requested a study day be taken to their area in September. This ensured staff did not have long distances to travel to attend training. Attendance was high and due to popularity an additional day was held in March 2009.
Requests have also been received from Care Home Groups wishing to host a study day within one of their own care homes. This allows a higher attendance rate and minimises travelling for staff who attend the training. A study day was held in Dounemount Care Home, MacDuff. Feedback was very positive.
Training Requests
Training can be organised at the request of a specific area.
In 2008 a training session on swallowing assessment after stroke and a session on behavioural issues were delivered in FraserburghHospital. This was to support the proposed development of stroke rehabilitation beds in this area.
Two training sessions were organised and supported by the stroke training co-ordinator (STC) in Dr. Grays Hospital prior to the thrombolysis service via telehealth link commencing. This provided staff with an update on the new service and information support packs were issued to each clinical area within the hospital. An information stand was also provided by the STC in the hospital lobby. This helped to raise awareness of the new service and promote F.A.S.T. to staff and visitors to the hospital.
The STC provided support to the STARs Project Manager to deliver a road show at Robert Gordon’s University in June. This session launched the new e-learning, interactive web-site based on the Stroke Core Competencies for Healthcare Staff. Please visit for further details.
The MCN hosted and funded two Connect training courses in 2009. The STC co-ordinated both courses.
Jan 2009 – Develop your communication skills and make a difference
The day was evaluated positively by those attending.
Mar 2009 – Making Communication Access a Reality
Toolkits are available to the delegates who attended and the STC will be working closely with the MCN to ensure this training is cascaded down.
Discipline Specific Training
The STC can provide support in organising discipline specific training in stroke. In 2008 support was given to bring a Harrison Course to Grampian for Occupational Therapists. This course was titled:
1. OT for the Rehabilitation of People with Neurological Upper Limb Disorders
Grampian Stroke Managed Clinical Network
The STC is an active member of the training and education sub-group. Current projects include the development of an education resource poster.
A F.A.S.T. sub-group was established within Grampian in 2008. The purpose of this group is to actively promote the CHSS F.A.S.T. campaign across Grampian. The STC is also an active member of this group.
Stroke Training in Shetland
“Found all topics relevant to my current practice, thanks again!” (Course Participant, 2008)
Following the success of the part 1 course which was taken to the Shetland Isles in 2007, a request was made to deliver a part 2 course in 2008. The course programme was delivered over two days, facilitated by the STC and delivered by local Healthcare Staff. Feedback from the course highlighted that this training had increased knowledge, skills and confidence in stroke of those who attended.
Accreditation
The stroke training courses delivered in Grampian are part of a national training package delivered by Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland. Accreditation of the Current care in Stroke – part 1 course was explored to see if this process would add strength and value to the training.
The philosophy of the CHSS courses is such that participants from all disciplines and academic levels should be able to attend the courses and benefit from the informal and experiential learning environment. There was a concern amongst the trainers and some members of the MCN Education and Training sub groups that the introduction of a more formal assessment process may detract from this environment and deter some participants from attending the course. Much of what is gained from the course relies on the networking of the participants and the reflective learning related to feedback from others regarding their roles and responsibilities.
Stroke Services: Care of the Patient in the Acute Setting, National Overview (2005) and Better Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke Care, A Consultation Document (2008) refer to the CHSS Stroke Training as an example of good practice and recent endorsement of the Current Care in Stroke part one by NES are considered fairly robust quality assurance indicators. This plus the continually high application numbers for the Current care in stroke part one course and very positive evaluations from course participants would suggest that the course is considered to have significantvalue at present. It has therefore been the decision of the Stroke Training Team that accreditation of the Current Care in Stroke Course - part one would offer no significant increase in perceived value at this time.
Future Developments
Current Care in Stroke – part 1
In addition to the venues in Aberdeen and Elgin it is proposed that a venue will be secured in Aberdeenshire South. This will be used to run a part 1 course towards the end of 2009 and will address local training needs in this area.
Current care in Stroke – part 2
Following the cancellation of two part 2 courses in 2008 this course has now been shortened to two days. It is hoped that this will boost attendance by making it easier to release staff. This will be reviewed at the end of 2009 prior to booking 2010 dates.
Advanced Days
Two advanced days will be held in 2009. Proposed topics are:
1. Acute Management of Stroke (based around SIGN 108)
2. Stroke in the younger adult
Single Study Days
A redesign of the Care Home and Social Service Staff Study Days is planned in 2009. The STC will be working closely with the Flexible Therapy Stroke Team (FTST) to complete this. It is envisaged that the day will focus around more practical based training.
Long Term Conditions Study Day
A second study day will be held in 2009/2010 following the success and popularity of this day in February 2008. This day will be designed for Community Nursing Staff.
Training in the Islands
A request has been received to provide two single study days for Social Service Staff in the Shetland Isles. The STC has secured dates in September 2009 to provide this training.
The STC will be co-ordinating and assisting with training for staff in the Western Isles on thrombolysis. This is to support the future development of a thrombolysis service via telehealth link. Training will take place in June 2009.
Nursing and Therapy Assistants Training Audit
A training audit will be completed in 2009 to ascertain if a training day designed for this particular staff group would be beneficial. It will also help to inform the content of the day should it be decided to run this. It is hoped that the first day will be held before the end of 2009.
Connect Training
The STC will continue to work with the MCN in supporting and taking forward training from the two day Connect Course in March 2009. This will be an on-going process.
Summary
Stroke training programmes have been available in Grampian since September 2005. Between then and 31st March 2009 947 Health and Social Care Staff have received training in stroke. The training programmes are continually evaluated and updated to ensure they evolve with the training needs of staff in Grampian. The training continues to be very popular with waiting lists in place for each course/study day. In light of this success and in support of this, the Grampian Stroke MCN have included permanent funding of the STC post in their strategic plan which has been submitted to NHS Grampian. At time of writing this report a decision is awaited.
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