The Bermuda Hospitals Board said investment is needed in stroke rehabilitation after an island-wide survey revealed gaps in the quality of service being offered.

The survey by Evolution Healing Centre in Paget highlighted an “urgent need” for improved stroke rehabilitation services, including more specialised healthcare professionals on the job.

Carried out over an eight-week period, the survey sought to gather data about the lived experiences of stroke survivors in Bermuda and was completed by 56 people who met the eligibility criteria.

A BHB spokesman said: “BHB welcomes the survey by Evolution of the Lived Experiences of Stroke For Bermuda 2022.

“The data collected, although from a relatively small number of people, does indicate there are gaps in rehabilitation services for stroke patients.

“As we see it, the survey highlights the need for investment in this medical area. We are willing to work with stakeholders to improve services and also partner with them for the same.

“We are committed to pursuing excellence to improve the health and wellbeing for our Bermuda community.”

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Evolution Healing Centre - Lived experiences of Stroke for Bermuda 2022.pdf

The survey was carried out by Kim Watkins, a doctor of physiotherapy, and Sandro Fubler, senior physiotherapist at Evolution, and was released in time for World Stroke Day on Sunday.

It recommends several changes, including increased insurance coverage for stroke survivors, an improved stroke care pathway and better specialised multidisciplinary care.

It also calls for more healthcare professionals who can deliver high-quality stroke rehabilitation and the setting-up of a support group for survivors and caregivers in Bermuda.

Dr Watkins said: “The response from the community regarding the survey is really positive. We acknowledge from the data that there are gaps in services across the whole continuum of care.

“We are very grateful for the response from BHB to work together to help establish services and a stroke care pathway.

“We look forward to keeping the community updated on the progress to help improve stroke rehabilitation services moving forward and coming together to make a strategic plan.

“I believe we are all on the same page in terms of helping to improve health and wellbeing.

“We will also have continued conversations with the private insurance companies and the Ministry of Health to improve investments in this area of need.”

The BHB’s Primary Stroke Centre, launched in 2019 as part of an affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, attained distinction certification from Accreditation Canada last year for its acute stroke and inpatient rehabilitation service standards.

Accreditation Canada’s report highlighted several “areas of success” at the centre, praising the leadership and organisational support, knowledgable and committed staff, community partnerships, public communication about strokes, and collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine International.