Development of a stroke and neurological rehabilitation unit in a district general hospital

We describe the experience of setting up a 16-bed unit for the rehabilitation of non-progressive and progressive neurological disorders. Its aim was the active involvement of patients and their families in the rehabilitation process. Various innovations were instigated by the multidisciplinary teams, including early visits home and a leisure service. Over the first two years, 318 patients were admitted to the unit, 51% attributable to stroke.