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Stroke and Neurological Rehabilitation Teams

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Welcome to the homepage for the Stroke and Neurological Rehab Teams in Lanarkshire. This website contains information and resources we hope will help you to better understand and manage your condition.

If you are over 16, live in Lanarkshire and have been diagnosed with a stroke or neurological condition you may be referred to the team by a health professional. Once we accept your referral you will be placed on our waiting list. We always aim to see you as soon as possible, but waiting times can vary.

You may have questions about the team and what we do – please see the information below.

How we can help

Our teams offer specialist assessment, input and support for people who have a stroke or neurological condition.

We provide therapy and advice specific to you, from an in -depth assessment of your needs. We work with you, your family/carers and other health and social care services for the best possible outcome.

We may be able to support you with:

  • Difficulties moving and using your arms/legs because of weakness or problems with muscle tone
  • Difficulties with balance and mobility
  • Difficulty with day-to-day tasks
  • Feeling fatigued
  • Difficulty with your communication
  • Difficulty with swallowing, or eating and drinking
  • Difficulty with your breathing
  • Difficulty concentrating and remembering things
  • Returning to work and driving
  • Difficulty with your posture in achieving a comfortable position
  • Education on how to manage your difficulties

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Our Team

Our team has Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Support Staff. We work closely with hospital staff, GPs, Consultants, Specialist Nurses, Social Work and the voluntary sector.

  • Physiotherapy (Physio)
    Physiotherapists aim to help you improve your movement and manage your symptoms, allowing you to be as independent as possible.
  • Occupational Therapy (OT)
    Occupational therapists support people to take part in activities of everyday life. They provide solutions to everyday tasks like self -care, work and leisure.
  • Speech and Language Therapy (SLT)
    Speech and language therapists support people with communication, voice and swallowing problems. This often means working closely with family/carers too.
  • Assistant Practitioner in Rehabilitation (APR)
    Assistant practitioners carry out basic assessments and support people to continue with therapy programs.
  • Senior Health Care Support Worker
    Our Senior health care support workers help people carry out their therapy programs.

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Where we work

Our two teams cover North and South Lanarkshire.

North Team

Our North Team main base is Coathill Hospital (Coatbridge). However, we also have clinics in Kenilworth Health Centre (Cumbernauld), Kilsyth Health Centre, Motherwell Health Centre and University Hospital Wishaw:

  • Coathill Hospital
    Glenaffric Day Unit, Hospital street, Coatbridge, ML5 4DN.
    Tel: 01698 753681
  • Motherwell Health Centre
    1st floor signposted Physiotherapy, 138-144 Windmillhill Street, Motherwell, ML1 1TB.
    Tel: 01698 242610
  • Kenilworth Medical Centre
    1 Kenilworth Court, Cumbernauld, G67 1BP.
    Tel: 01236 727816
  • Kilsyth Cottage Hospital
    Glasgow Road, Kilsyth, G65 9AG.
    Tel: 01236 822172
  • University Hospital Wishaw
    50 Netherton Street, Wishaw, ML2 0DP.
    Tel: 01698 361100

South Team

Our South Team is based at Udston Hospital:

  • Udston Hospital
    Farm Road, Burnbank, Hamilton ML3 9LA.
    Tel: 01698 754555

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens at my first appointment?

We will spend time gathering information and carrying out assessment to find out what difficulties you have. It is helpful to tell us about any other medical conditions you have and a list of the medication you take.

If you struggle with your memory it may help to make a list of some of the problems you have been having, or any questions you want answered, to get the most out of the session. Please also bring any communication devices or splints you use.

If you have an appointment with Physiotherapy it may help to wear loose fitting clothes so you can move more easily. A short-sleeved t-shirt and/or shorts may be helpful so we can complete a thorough assessment.

We will also ask you to set some goals and help you create a plan to work towards these. Your first appointment may take a little longer (around 45-60 minutes) so please give yourself enough time.

We will usually give you a therapy program, or tasks to complete at home, along with education and advice and will arrange a follow up appointment if needed.

Can I bring someone to my appointment with me?

Yes. Having someone with you who would support your rehab at home can be helpful. This way we can provide them with education, advice or support too.

If you would like a relative or carer to come with you, please let us know when arranging your appointment so we can ensure we have enough space in clinic.

What does the team expect from you?

To get the most out of your input we expect you to work alongside us and follow your agreed plan to work towards your goals.           

What if I need to change my appointment?

Please contact the team as soon as possible if your appointment does not suit:

If we do not answer, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call as soon as we can.

What if I do not attend my appointment?

If you fail to attend your appointment without contacting us, you could be discharged from the service in line with NHS Lanarkshire policy. If you cancel two consecutive appointments, or three within your agreed plan, you will be discharged.

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Resources

i

North Stroke Neuro Rehab Team Patient Information Leaflet

Stroke

THINK FAST

If you believe you may be having a stroke now, please call 999.

  • Face: facial weakness
  • Arms: arm weakness
  • Speech: slurred speech
  • Time: to call 999 if you spot any one of these signs

After a stroke we may work with you on any difficulties affecting your day to day life. We link closely with other services including:

  • Stroke nurses who support you with your health and wellbeing. Tel: 01698 753700
  • Stroke Psychology who can support your mental health
  • Voluntary services and charities like Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland
  • Tone management clinic if you have a problem with muscle tone, making it difficult to move/ carry out tasks, but need specialist input

Tone Management Service

If you are having problems with increased muscle tone after a stroke you may be referred to the tone management service. Your therapy team and doctor may identify that using Botulinum toxin injection may help with some of the symptoms you are having because of your tight muscles. The specific goals of your treatment will be carefully discussed with you prior to any agreed treatment. The drug might not improve your symptoms on its own but is helpful when combined with a programme of physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy.
It can assist with the management of pain or spasm. It may also help to improve function or help you with the use of hand and foot splints, or help you position yourself better when you are seated or in bed.
Botulinum Toxin is given as an injection into the muscle(s) that are causing most of your problems. The injection is given by a doctor or therapist who will use an ultrasound machine to make sure the correct muscle is targeted.
On the day of the clinic, you should wear loose clothing and if you take the medicine apixaban you should miss the morning dose on the day of the clinic.

Here are some links to websites for stroke which may be helpful:

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Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

We aim to help you manage your symptoms, whether you have had a relapse, or your condition has gotten worse. To best achieve this, we may link with your consultant, MS nurse, GP or other health professionals involved in your care.

There are lots of resources to help give you support in managing your condition. Some of these include:

Exercise links for MS

Not all the exercise links are suitable for everyone, so try to pick ones you can do safely, or discuss with your physiotherapist which ones would be most suitable for you. There are links for seated exercise, standing, or lying as well as assisted exercises.

Exercises for difficulty with balance and walking
Muscle spasms/stiffness
Yoga
Pilates
Mr Motivator
Strength
Exercises to improve fatigue
Stretching and positioning
Bladder/pelvic floor

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Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s may affect moving/walking, speech, eating and drinking, memory, balance and many other things.

We may be able to help you better manage some of these and can link in with other services to do this.

Other sources of help

Freezing when walking

Freezing when walking is a very common symptom and can feel like your feet are glued to the ground. These are some resources which may be helpful:

Parkinson’s Exercise Classes

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Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

Getting a diagnosis of FND can be long and challenging, with lots of tests and appointments. You may never have heard of this condition before.

It is important to know people with FND can make a good recovery. With FND the nervous system isn’t damaged, it just doesn’t function as it usually would. We find people with FND who are ready to engage and work with our team have the potential to make improvements.

Many factors can affect your symptoms, so often the best approach is through working with a team of therapists from different specialities. Our teams link closely with several others to deliver the best care we can for you.

Developing a good understanding of your condition can be helpful. Part of our role is to help you to learn more about your condition, so always ask questions you may have. To help you better understand your condition there is lots of helpful information online.

Our team have developed a FND workbook. This workbook is used to help you understand more about FND, get to know your symptoms and find strategies to help manage them.

Below are some links to websites we find can be helpful.

  • https://www.neurosymptoms.org/en_GB/ – This website has lots of information on different symptoms which are common in Functional Neurological Disorder. There is information on how therapy can help with your symptoms, as well as lots of video resources.
  • https://fndhope.org/ – FND hope is a patient-led charity for people who have Functional Neurological Disorder. There are lots of resources to improve understanding, information on treatment and research, and as a support to those who have Functional Neurological Disorder.
  • https://www.fndaction.org.uk – FND Action is a patient-led charity who offer information, guidance and support to people who have Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and their caregivers in the UK. They offer support groups which can be accessed online.

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Motor Neurone Disease

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) affects the brain and nerves. It can cause muscles to be weak and can also make speech and swallowing difficult.

We may be able to help you manage some of these issues better and link with others to do this.

We work closely with MND nurses who are there to support you. They can be contacted on 0141 201 2380 or 0141 201 2381.

Resources:

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Other conditions

Guillain Barré Syndrome and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

Ataxia

Hereditary Spastic paraplegia

Dystonia

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Hospice

Our local hospices provide support for people living with progressive neurological conditions. This support is available from diagnosis and includes access to classes and complimentary therapies, not just end of life care. The outpatient services provided may be useful in helping you manage your condition.

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Useful Contacts

Social Opportunities

Advocacy

Advocacy services – if you need support to express your views or uphold your rights:

Benefits and Financial Support

 Welfare Rights
Money Matters – Benefits and Debt Management (South Lanarkshire)
Citizens Advice Bureau

For Debt enquiries, you can also contact the South Lanarkshire CAB Debt Helpline on 01698 757600 (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9.00am – 5.00 pm; Wed 9.00am – 7.00pm; Saturday 9.00am -12 noon).
Email: SLDebtHelpline@hamiltoncab.casonline.org.uk.
Text: 07874 073155

ACAS – Employee/Employer Support and Advice

Sensory Impairment

Sensory Impairment Teams

For people with hearing and/or visual impairments:

 

PT/Carer Advice and Support

Mental Health Support 

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Feedback – how are we doing?

Your feedback is important as it helps us to make sure we are providing the best possible care. It allows us to see areas where we are doing well, but also where we can try to improve.

If you would like to tell us about your experience, you can:

  • Phone us on contact details listed above
  • Share your story at careopinion.org.uk (please include North or South Neuro rehab team in your feedback) or Tel: 08001223135

QR code to link to Care opinion website:

QR code - Care Opinion - NHSL Stroke Neuro Rehab Team
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