Early Supported Discharge Service

The Early Supported Discharge (ESD) team is a specialist multidisciplinary team based at St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping. The team provides assessment and rehabilitation both on Beech Ward (a neuro-rehabilitation ward for adults with a stroke or neurological diagnosis) and in the community with adults post-stroke.

The team consists of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, a psychologist and therapy assistants. Patients are offered up to six weeks of intensive rehabilitation which aims to facilitate return to previous daily life and independence focusing on patient-led goals. The ESD team has strong links with the Stroke Association and staff and patients work closely with a local Stroke Association support worker who provides guidance, advice and long-term help to patients and families in collaboration with the team. Patients with a diagnosis of stroke are also followed up six months from the date of their stroke to review and discuss their ongoing recovery, and signpost to long term sources of support if required.

Where service is based

Ground Floor, Epping Forest Unit
St Margaret’s Hospital
The Plain
Epping
CM16 6TN

Rehabilitation is provided in patient’s homes/communities or as outpatient sessions at community hospitals.

Please ask for a referral from one of the following:

• Consultants
• Health care professionals in acute stroke units