Everything you need to know
Our team of specialist dietitians works alongside therapists and other health care professionals as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
A poor appetite, weight loss, and inadequate dietary intake can often affect rehabilitation. Our stroke patients therefore receive a comprehensive nutritional assessment on admission. Our dietitians will then monitor progress regularly and adapt nutritional goals accordingly.
Before therapy
Depending on your needs and goals, we can offer rehab services on an inpatient or outpatient basis. We triage all referrals to establish what will be of most benefit and help you achieve your desired outcomes.
We provide an intensive stroke rehab package with a wide range of therapies available every day, tailored to meet your unique needs. Having intensive therapy early in your rehabilitation journey is key to reaching your full potential but can also have a great impact later in your journey, when you’re working towards a specific goal.
Every person is affected differently after suffering from a stroke. We see every patient as an individual and aim to work in partnership with you and your family to ensure the best medical care, fullest and fastest possible recovery. We promise rapid access to an expert assessment of your symptoms and a personalised treatment plan.
We are a fully accredited BUPA rehabilitation unit and are recognised by a number of insurance providers. Our multi-disciplinary stroke team is led by stroke consultants and other health care professionals who hold senior positions in London Teaching Hospitals.
When you arrive at the hospital, you will be assessed by our medical and nursing team to ensure you have the most appropriate management plan. You will then be assessed by our therapy team who will work with you to develop a tailored programme aimed at maximising your recovery and achieving your goals.
During therapy
Our dietetics therapists can provide nutritional advice for patients with an impaired swallow who require textured modified diets and can also support specialist tube feeding regimes for patients who are not able to meet their nutritional requirements or have been assessed as having an unsafe swallow.
Our dietitians also advise on therapeutic diets for stroke risk factors, including:
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Diabetes
After therapy
Once you are ready to leave us, should you require long-term nutrition support, the dieticians will work with you and your family, to provide a seamless transition in your nutritional care.
This dietetic service is designed to get you over the initial hurdle and teach you lifestyle and healthy eating advice. It’s designed through practical advice that you can take away with you. After you’ve been discharged from the dietetics clinic, we’ll arrange follow-up medical reviews with you where we can check in and see how you’re doing, and if needed, offer further nutritional support and practical guidance.
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of therapist and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.