Stroke HIT appoints two new public contributor Directors

The Stroke Health Integration Team (HIT) has appointed Stephen Hill and Chris Priestman as co-Directors and joint patient and public involvement (PPI) leads. Both Stephen and Chris are stroke survivors and bring their experience of stroke services to the leadership of the HIT.

Stephen said:

“I’m delighted that the Stroke HIT is now firmly on the
road, and that I can be part of the leadership team at this very important
time. The prospect of the HIT working in parallel with the Stroke Pathway
Review to enhance the treatment and rehabilitation of future stroke
survivors is very exciting. It will be a privilege to work with Chris,
ensuring that the change process takes proper account of the patient/survivor
perspective.”

Chris said:

“Having a stroke four years ago was shattering and so now it’s a privilege to be able to put my experiences to good use, trying to make life better for future sufferers who will have similar roads to follow. Along with Stephen, as part of the HIT I hope we can see the harmonisation – upwards – of the wide discrepancies in treatment and rehabilitation that exist across the region, as well as increasing public awareness that will prevent so many strokes happening in the first place.”

Phil Clatworthy, Director of the HIT, said:

“Here at the Stroke HIT
we’re excited that we now have have people with direct experience of stroke and
using local stroke services in our leadership team. This is a big step towards
our goal of empowering the public and people affected by stroke to
shape our local health and social care services.”

Stephen blogged about his stroke experience for Bristol Health Partners in March, while Chris and Phil appeared on Dr Phil Hammond’s BBC Bristol show in January.