Occupational therapists' experiences of community seating provision for patients following a stroke

More than 100 000 people annually have a stroke and there are over 1.2 million stroke survivors in the United Kingdom (UK) (Stroke Association, 2017). The National Stroke Strategy (2007) radically changed the delivery of stroke care in the UK by promoting stroke specialist rehabilitation in hospital and the community. As a consequence, stroke rehabilitation generally follows a structured, multidisciplinary pathway commencing on admission to a hyper-acute stroke unit, typically followed by a stay on an acute stroke unit. Some may then require further inpatient and/or community rehabilitation. Appropriate seating may be necessary in order to contribute towards effective rehabilitation and the NHS is responsible to provide services based on clinical need and not the ability to pay (Department of Health and Social Care [DHSC], 2000).