THE way stroke services are run in Okehampton could change in the future, as the Northern, Eastern and Western Devon (NEW) Clinical Commissioning Group is calling for people in the town to share their thoughts on current services.

Stroke services in Okehampton are currently provided by the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust for the hospital part of stroke care, and Northern Devon NHS Healthcare Trust for the rehabi-litation side of stroke care.

The NEW clinical commissioning group has been working closely with stroke specialists in both NHS providers, as well as with advisers from the Stroke Association, on proposals to improve the service for stroke patients and their carers.

Dr Joe Mays from the NEW Clinical Commissioning Group, said: 'At the moment patients with enough support, and who are well enough to continue their rehabilitation at home, will usually go home directly from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital's stroke unit.

'This is an important part of the service and our emphasis on helping people to return directly home will continue.

'Some patients need more support and care for a longer period of time following their stroke.

'Currently, these patients move from the RD&E to the stroke rehabilitation units at Exmouth and Crediton community hospitals, and they might need to stay in the rehabilitation unit for many weeks.

'Although the outcomes for patients and carers using the existing community stroke rehabilitation units are good and the experience is normally very positive, travelling to the units can be difficult for families, especially if they are using public transport.

'Added to this, we have learned that dispersing the nursing and clinical teams over two small units does not make the best use of highly specialist skills and resources to bring maximum benefit for patients.

'In view of this, local clinicians have been looking at the possibility of consolidating the rehabilitation units onto one site. For this reason we are keen to have people's views through the 'have your say' survey.'

Okehampton Library will host a focus group with members of the public to discuss future plans for stroke services on Tuesday, January 28 from 11am to 12.30pm.

If you are interested in being involved in the focus group, call Ann Fugler of the Stroke Association on 01392 447361 between 9am and 1pm from Monday to Thursday.

If you would like to complete the have your say survey, please call Ann Fugler on 01392 447361.