Who are we?
Early Supported Discharge is the discharge of a stroke patient from hospital to their own home coordinated by a team of therapists, nurses, and doctors. The Birmingham Heartlands Hospital ESD Team provides an early rehabilitation service for stroke patients for up to six weeks based on clinical need.
The service helps patients who leave hospital and return home to maximise their independence as quickly as possible after a stroke. Rehabilitation is focused on individualised goals and is delivered in the home environment to make treatment meaningful to the patient’s daily life.
What we do?
The team is made up of stroke and neuro-specialist staff who deliver a 7-day service, including:
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Therapy Support Workers
- Speech and Language Therapists
Delivering Your Care
We provide therapy services focusing on rehabilitation. Rehabilitation goals are based on individual needs and may include:
- Improving mobility (e.g., walking and balance)
- Personal care (e.g., washing and dressing)
- Kitchen and domestic tasks
- Cognitive therapy (e.g., memory support)
- Communication (e.g., speech therapy)
- Swallowing support
- Emotional and caregiver support
What happens after six weeks?
If further therapy input is required, the ESD team will refer patients to the most appropriate community rehabilitation service e.g., Community Stroke Team and Birmingham Neuro Rehab Team, managed by Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust Community Stroke Service | Website
The BHH ESD team covers areas including:
- B7-B12 (e.g., Nechells, Vauxhall, Small Heath, Sparkbrook)
- B25-B28 (e.g., Yardley, Sheldon, Acocks Green, Hall Green)
- B33-B37 (e.g., Lea Hall, Chelmsley Wood, Castle Bromwich)
Contact information
Last reviewed: 10 March 2025