Minister for Public Health Visits Fife CHSS Stroke Services 12 February 2024 Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Jenni Minto, paid a visit to Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital in Buckhaven last week (Friday 2nd February) to meet stroke nurses and service users from leading health charity, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. After leaving hospital following my stroke, Leanne was the first health professional that I heard from. She asked all the right questions and made sure I felt supported. Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Stroke Nurse and Stroke Education Facilitator service has been operating in Fife since 2003. The Minister was given a tour of the facility and introduced to the CHSS Stroke Nurse team and service users, including Betty Cairns. The CHSS team is headed up by Rhona Martin from Glenrothes. Rhona was one of only 24 nurses across Scotland to be awarded the prestigious Queens Nursing Award by Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland in 2023. The Fife team consists of one lead stroke nurse, two stroke nurses and one healthcare assistant. The aim of the CHSS Stroke Nurse Service is to support stroke survivors and their families to transition from hospital back to the community and is based on a person-centred model of supported self-management and community recovery. Patients supported by CHSS Stroke Nurses receives a programme of care tailored to their own specific needs, and comprises a combination of home visits, telephone or video calls, and attendance at nurse-led clinics. Betty Cairns from Kirkcaldy (pictured third from left) has been supported by CHSS Stroke Nurse Leanne Dickson since having a stroke in June last year. Speaking about her experience Betty said: “The CHSS Stroke Nurse Service has been very helpful in my recovery. After leaving hospital following my stroke, Leanne was the first health professional that I heard from. She asked all the right questions and made sure I felt supported. “In fact, it’s thanks to Leanne that I got the care I needed after I began to feel unwell again. She called to check in on me and I was really feeling poorly. Leanne acted quickly and made sure I was seen in hospital again and was able to get the care that I need. “Now I’m getting back on my feet and I’ve been able to get out and about again. It’s great to have that support from CHSS available. It’s made a huge difference to me.” CHSS Lead Stroke Nurse for Fife Rhona Martin commented: “It was fantastic to welcome Jenni Minto to meet with the Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Stroke Fife Nurse Team to learn more about the service we provide, and to meet patients who have been supported in their recovery from stroke by CHSS. “We know that people leaving hospital after stroke often feel scared and alone. Our goal is to work in partnership with the NHS to ensure that people across Fife who are leaving hospital after stroke are provided with tailored community support to live full and healthy lives.” Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “I was pleased to meet the wonderful Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland nurse team and hear more about the service they provide. “People affected by stroke, heart disease and respiratory conditions often need practical advice, information and support throughout their recovery journey and it was great to hear about the work they do to support people transitioning from hospital back into the community.” If you’re living with the effects of chest, heart and stroke conditions or Long Covid and are looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text NURSE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.