Event explores ways to support stroke patients with vision impairment

4th December 2024

Sixty people joined a free event at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) on 27 November to find out more about supporting patients with vision impairment following a stroke.

The event was organised by our Stroke Health Integration Team (HIT)’s Education, Training and Skills Group, and funded by Sirona, UWE Bristol and Bristol Health Partners.

The day brought together health care professionals working with people following a stroke in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). Through presentations and breakout sessions, delegates learned and discussed with others how best they can support individuals whose sight has been affected by stroke.

Topics covered included current national guidelines, how to screen for visual impairment and driving post stroke, and stroke survivors shared their lived experiences with delegates.

Between sessions, delegates could network and find out more at stalls run by:

Plenty of connections were made across the stroke treatment and care pathway, and delegates left with more confidence and knowledge to help patients and colleagues, and ways to reach out for support.

Bronagh Corlett, Occupational Therapist, North Bristol NHS Trust, was one of the day’s speakers. She said:

“The aim of the visual study day was to raise awareness of the impact of visual impairment post stroke. We wanted the delegates to understand their responsibilities in screening for visual changes after a stroke and build confidence in assessment and use of interventions to address these changes.”

“With multi agency collaboration which included North Bristol NHS Trust, Sirona, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, UWE Bristol and support from the Bristol Health Partners, we were able to deliver a study day that was received so enthusiastically and will improve services for stroke patients with visual difficulties following a stroke. We look forward to ongoing joint working across BNSSG to continually improve and further develop our visual pathway.”

Thank you to our speakers:

Dr Phil Clatworthy: Consultant Stroke Neurologist, North Bristol NHS Trust
Claire Fullbrook-Scanlon, Senior Lecturer, UWE Bristol
Melanie Walker: Highly Specialist Orthoptist, Orthoptic lead for Stroke, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
Joe Franklin: Highly Specialist Orthoptist, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.
Gemma Holden: Operations Manager, Bristol After Stroke
Helen Mann: Occupation Therapist, Driving and Mobility Centre West of England
Nikki Derrick: Specialist Stroke Occupational Therapist, Sirona
Bronagh Corlett: Occupational Therapist, North Bristol NHS Trust
Mary McGrory: Patient Support Nurse, Bristol Eye Hospital
Daria Hernet: Eye Clinic Liaison Office, Bristol Eye Hospital
Judith Potts: Founder and Trustee, Esme’s Umbrella