STROKE patients are getting faster access to physiotherapy to get them back on their feet and back home.

Southend Hospital has introduced sessions every day of the week in a bid to up standards.

New therapy rotas have been drawn up after a four-month successful trial of weekend working.

The improvements have already brought the average length of a person’s stay on the stroke unit down from almost 18 days to 11 days.

Joanne Lay, clinical specialist in neurological physiotherapy, said: “Before we introduced the new system, inpatients receiving thrombolysis (clot-busting drugs) could wait 72 hours to see a physiotherapist.

“The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence and the Royal College of Physicians recommend stroke patients should be assessed by a therapist within 24 hours.”

An additional benefit for physiotherapy staff is they no longer spend all day Monday assessing the weekend’s intake of new patients – sometimes as many as 20 people – rather than providing therapy.

Southend’s lead stroke consultant Dr Paul Guyler said: “The introduction of a seven-day physiotherapy service for stroke patients has been tremendously beneficial from several points of view.

“Most importantly, it has allowed so many of our patients to return to their normal life more quickly.

“The rehabilitation department is to be congratulated on the way it has adapted so seamlessly to the new way of working, and helping to enhance Southend’s reputation as a first-rate stroke unit.”

The success of the new scheme is among the hospital’s achievements and innovations being highlighted today, as part of this year’s research and audit day.