Stroke workers nominated for Reach Out award

A "UNIQUE partnership" whose work has set a benchmark for stroke care in the UK has been nominated for a Reach Out award.

Marion Walker, professor in stroke rehabilitation at the University of Nottingham, and stroke victim Ossie Newell have worked together over the past five years to develop research and rehabilitation programmes for people who have had strokes.

Mr Newell is chairman of At A Stroke, an action group which visits hospital wards in the Nottingham area and makes recommendations on improvements to facilities and the care of stroke victims.

So far the group has raised £40,000 for hospital equipment in the county.

The pair pooled skills and experience to come up with ideas that have become a national standard of care for the UK.

Mr Newell and Prof Walker were nominated by At A Stroke's vice-chairman Malcolm Jarvis, who suffered a stroke in 2002.

He praised the pair's hard work and dedication.

He said: "It's a unique partnership and the two of them work tirelessly.

"Not a day goes by when Ossie is not working. Marion's got a wonderful personality and she's got a real passion for the work she does and for helping stroke sufferers.

"Nottingham is one of the best places in the whole of the UK to have a stroke because the stroke unit at the city hospital is the benchmark for the rest of the UK.

"That's because of the work Ossie and Marion do."

Prof Walker, who has worked in stroke rehabilitation for the past 25 years, said: "It's a huge honour to be nominated.

"What I do just comes naturally to me and to think someone thinks you have gone the extra mile is great.

"My research is all patient-based. We value their first hand experience. None of my staff has had a stroke so we have got to work in partnership."

Mr Newell, 72, said: "It is always very gratifying to know somebody appreciates what you are trying to do.

"I had a stroke nine years ago and have been involved almost daily in trying to improve patient care and rehabilitation since then.

"The motivation then and now is giving something back for the care I received."

Around 130,000 people a year in the UK suffer a stroke', '

Around 1,000 of them live in Nottingham.

The Reach Out awards recognise people who go beyond the call of duty to contribute to the community.