Service overview
Our service is also known as Earlier Supported Discharge for Stroke.
We can help you with your rehabilitation if you have recently had a stroke.
We may offer a combination of home visits, virtual appointments through video or phone calls, or treatment in a local community setting such as a sports facility or supermarket.
We’ll create a care plan with you and our specialists, which may include:
- improving your movement and exercise, with our physiotherapists
- developing your confidence with your speech, with our speech and language therapists
- getting back to your daily activities, with the help out our occupational therapists
We can also support a referral to a care service if you need further support.
Accessing our service
Referrals to us must be made by your care professional on the acute stroke care unit.
They can confirm that you have recently experienced a new stroke, and be ready and cleared to be discharged back home.
All referrals must be discussed with the team before discharge from the ward.
You must also be 18 years old or over, and registered with a Berkshire GP.
Preparing for an assessment
When you’re referred to us and we’ve agreed your discharge date from the acute stroke unit, we’ll arrange a visit to your home and create a rehabilitation plan with you.
Your first assessment will last around an hour and a half (90 minutes).
Remember to have your discharge summary ready, and details about your recent weight and height.
We kindly ask for your home to be a smoke-free environment.
We can make arrangements if you need an interpreter.
Managing your health
We understand that recovering from a stroke can feel like a challenging and worrying time.
There are lifestyle changes you can make to help to improve your rehabilitation, and reduce the chances of further strokes.
This includes exercising more, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy diet.
Our team can talk to you about monitoring your blood pressure and weight.
There are guides from charities and community groups explaining the support that is available to you, and the early signs of strokes that you need to look out for.
Care plan
Our aim is to begin your rehabilitation at your home as soon as you’re able to.
Your e-Health Passport
Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.
Learn moreContact us and FAQs
Our central admin team can help if you have any questions, or you need to change your appointment.
Central Admin Team
Stroke Specialist Rehabilitation
Contact number: 0118 904 3440
Email: cbnrt.admin@berkshire.nhs.uk We're available from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
East Berkshire
Stroke Specialist Rehabilitation
Contact number: 0118 904 2829
Email: EastBerkshireESD@berkshire.nhs.uk We're available from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
West Berkshire
Stroke Specialist Rehabilitation
Contact number: 0118 904 3884 We're available from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still travel by plane after I have had a stroke?
Our team and your GP can advise you on this, depending on your situation and rehabilitation.
Can I still drive after having a stroke?
We can guide you to the resources you need to contact the DVLA
Who provides your rehabilitation equipment?
Our equipment provider is called NRS.
We can also help you with
Is there any information for friends, family and carers?
If you’re a family member, carer, or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available from a range of local communities and national organisations.
How do I request an interpreter?
We can provide language translation and interpretation support.
Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.
We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:
- Telephone interpreting
- Video remote interpreting (VRI)
- Face‑to‑face interpreting
- Written translation
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?
Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to receive information in a format that meets their needs.
Under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) – a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers – we must ensure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand the information we provide and communicate effectively with us.
We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- Large print
- Braille
- Audio
- Easy read
- Text message
- Face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present
If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.
Are service dogs allowed to my appointment?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.
These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.
To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.
Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.
What does it mean to treat our team with respect?
Respect is important.
We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.
Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.
We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.
This may include contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.
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