'My world changed in an instant' - NI woman shares stroke story at Northern Ireland hospitals

A Northern Ireland woman has shared her story of how life changed following a stroke, as a new initiative is launched across local hospitals.

Nicola Shaw, from Ballygowan in County Down, had a stroke in December 2022. She is sharing her story as part of the art installation in the Ulster Hospital.

Families and loved ones affected by stroke in Northern Ireland will be able to find out about the information, support and advice in their area thanks to a new hospital initiative from the Stroke Association.

“From the health service’s perspective, I had a minor stroke, but it had a major impact on me and my family’s life. It was a very scary time, and my world changed in an instant," Nicola said.

"The information and support you receive in hospital sets the tone for your continuing recovery journey. Having information available from the Stroke Association at this early crucial stage of recovery, I think is key in enabling stroke patients to have early access to support, both for themselves and their families."

New information displays in the specialist stroke units at three hospitals across Northern Ireland - Ulster Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital - will illustrate the experiences of stroke survivors from across the region.

This will feature alongside details of how others can get vital support in the area from the Stroke Association as the charity provides communication and emotional wellbeing support services for stroke survivors through the three hospitals and across Northern Ireland.

These displays will complement the Stroke Association’s support pack which make it easy for patients and healthcare teams to connect with support services, such as the Stroke Association helpline. The packs will be provided by healthcare professionals to all stroke survivors on admission to hospital.

As NI’s leading stroke specific charity, this initiative from the Stroke Association aims to address a critical gap of currently reaching only 33% of stroke survivors in the UK to provide much-needed help, support and advice following their discharge from hospital.

Following the pilot across the three hospitals, the partnership hopes to expand to selected stroke units in other regions across Northern Ireland and the UK.

Alasdair O’Hara, Northern Ireland Director at the Stroke Association, said: “Life after stroke can be daunting and we want to make sure that stroke survivors and their loved ones know about all the support that is out there when they’re in hospital and planning their return home.

“The Stroke Association provides lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their loved ones. We’re here to help stroke survivors find strength through our support. It’s been great to work with the staff at the three hospitals to ensure everyone who needs our support knows where they can get it."

Penny Graham, Stroke Improvement Lead at the South Eastern Trust, said: "We are delighted to have the Stroke Association represented on the ward through the installation of wall graphics. These will help to motivate patients on the ward who will be on their own journey to recovery. Patients and carers can visibly see the support and advice available to them at a glance."

Annmarie O’Dwyer, Assistant Director of Acute Services at the Western Trust, said: “Our clinical and nursing staff welcome this partnership with the Stroke Association to help increase awareness, referrals, and uptake of the support services and stroke support helpline calls from Northern Ireland patients.

“The strong, visually impactful artwork which will be installed in the stroke unit will help signpost our patients and their loved ones to the support services available to help them in their recovery journey.”

If you or someone you know has had a stroke and would like support, please call the Stroke Association’s Stroke Support Helpline on 0303 3033 100.

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