Acute stroke service
The acute stroke service is a specialist service that assesses and treats patients who are admitted to the hospital with stroke.
When you first come into hospital
If you are brought into the Emergency Department you are assessed there. If the emergency department team is concerned about a possible stroke, they will contact the acute stroke team for a specialist assessment.
Specialist assessment for suspected stroke
The acute stroke team will assess you and arrange any necessary tests to help confirm if you have had a stroke and what the best course of treatment is.
In some cases, medication is recommended. In other (less common) cases, you may be transferred to Beaumont Hospital for a clot removal (thrombectomy) or possibly for brain surgery (neurosurgery).
The acute stroke unit
The Mater Hospital’s acute stroke unit was set up in 2002 and was the first of its kind in Ireland. The unit provides specialist early-stage care for you after your stroke. This includes any assessments required, as well as early rehabilitation.
This specialist stroke team includes:
- Nursing and care staff
- Consultants and other doctors
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech and language therapists
- Medical social workers
- Dieticians
- Pharmacists
Moving on from the Mater Hospital after your stroke
We specialise in providing acute services – this means the particular kind of care you need in the early stages after your stroke. Once you are medically stable, we will work with you to begin planning your care at home or in another setting, whichever is best for your recovery.
Continuing your care in another hospital
We work closely with other hospitals and units that offer continuing care for stroke patients.
Isolde stroke rehabilitation unit
This is a specialist stroke rehabilitation unit located in St Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park.
The Royal Hospital, Donnybrook
Some of our patients go on to the stroke rehabilitation unit or to the Maples unit, which provides rehabilitation for patients under 65 years of age.
The National Rehabilitation Hospital
Based in Dun Laoghaire, the hospital provides a comprehensive range of specialist rehabilitation services.
Continuing your care at home
You may be able continue your care at home, and there are a number of support options available to help you do this.
Support from the Mater Hospital’s early supported discharge (ESD) service
With the ESD service, a team of therapists from the hospital will come to your home after you are discharged. They will support your transition home and begin your rehabilitation.
Community support
You are discharged home and linked in with your GP, public health nurse and local therapists. They can then help you to continue your recovery in the community.
Ongoing rehabilitation through the Baggot Street stroke rehabilitation unit
The stroke rehabilitation unit at Baggot Street Community Hospital can help you reach your best level of function and independence in all aspects of life.
Outpatient stroke clinic
In some case, patients receive follow-up care at the outpatient stroke clinic. This clinic runs on Wednesdays in clinic 5 in the Whitty Wing, Level 1. This service is only available to patients who have been seen by the acute stroke team during their admission to the Mater Hospital.
Young stroke clinic
Every two months, we run a specialist clinic for younger people who have had a stroke. This is the only service of its kind in the country.
Useful links
Referral information
Related services
Emergency department Acute medicine Physiotherapy Occupational therapy Speech & Language Therapy Dietetics