"Follow up after stroke"

I had a follow up appointment after a stroke in Nov 2018 in Feb 2019 which can only be described as a complete and utter waste of time and energy

A month later this appointment still leaves me cross as at times it left me wondering if the dr had the right notes and was entirely negative and patronising in tone

There was a long lecture on calling 999 if I thought I was having another stroke.

Really.

But no sensible advise about avoiding a second stroke

Emphasis on a speech problem which was so minor and cleared up within days without any therapy

A physical assessment which was gobsmackingly amateur and unconstructive and resulted in the comment ‘there is still some weekness’ But no advise.

Why on earth was this assessment done by a doctor rather than a physiotherapist?

And then a series of questions about my mental health which were more likely to give depression rather than identify it.

A single blood pressure reading was taken upon arrival and after a long walk across the park and ride and through the hospital and therefore slightly elevated and then taken as gospel until I produced readings done at home for the last week.

Luckily for me my cognitive abilities are unaffected and I know that I have made and continue to make a good recovery so this appointment is a minor irritant and waste of time but it could have been useful and productive

Questions.

1.

Why no assessment by physios, speech therapists etc.

2.

Why not ask the patient to take a weeks worth of BP readings prior to the appointment

3.

A mental health assessment is a good idea but this isn’t the way.

4.

Why no lifestyle advise ?

Fundamentally this appointment demonstrates a key problem with stroke care and rehab.

Doctors are too often apart from and see themselves as superior to the other members of the team

Physio and speech therapists are vital in recovery giving stroke suffers back a life worth living.

They should not be subservient to doctors.