Lanyon Stroke Unit at Camborne Redruth Community Hospital.
Lanyon is a Stroke Rehabilitation Ward with 21 beds. They have been working with practitioners from Arts for Health Cornwall since April 2010.
“We have noticed some positive changes in our patients who have taken part in the project. One patient was very anxious and agitated most of the time, we had a creative writing practitioner work with her and the patient was very calm and stated that she had enjoyed this very much. Some of the sessions you can really see the patients enjoying them.” (Denise Williams, Sister on Lanyon Stroke Unit)
Various staff, both therapy and nursing staff, and patient’s families have all taken part in art and craft, creative writing and dance and movement sessions.
“The project has helped me to think of alternative ways to aid patients with their rehab and has also given me an insight into what you a can do with patients with disabilities to improve their health and well being.” (Denise Williams, Sister on Lanyon Stroke Unit)
Due to a high turnover of patients on the Ward all the patients are very different, some become tired quickly and other patients do not want to take part, it can also be difficult to find a room for group work if the ward is busy. However, the practitioners are flexible and often take the opportunity to work with patients on a one to one basis.
Generally it has been a very effective project, any obstacles in the way have been down to changes in the ward environment due to redecoration, and the lack of rooms to hold the sessions in.
The Rehab Support Workers are planning on starting their own arts for health sessions during the week, in-between the practitioner’s sessions
