Ward tribute to patient legacy

Patients needing rehabilitation following a stroke can now benefit from a specialized exercise bike which has been bought with funding from local donations.

The bike is based on the stroke rehab ward at Bishop Auckland Hospital and has been funded through donations from patients and their families and friends.

The donations include £690 from the family and friends of former patient, David Storey. David was a keen cyclist and walker before his stroke but unfortunately due to the type of stroke he had was unable to engage in physiotherapy exercises and would have benefited from the MOTOMmed exercise bike. 

Mr Storey's father, Fred said: "The staff on the ward are wonderful and were really good to us. Dave was only here four or five days but we saw how tremendous they are, they'd do anything for you so it is important they have the best equipment."

The MOTOmed is a motor-assisted movement therapy device. It has pedals for both arms and legs. It can move a patient's affected side passively if they have no movement but the bike can also be tailored to suit every individual patient depending on their muscle tone and strength. It has different speeds/resistance and also a few built in games to engage the patients while they exercise.

At a presentation on the ward, staff unveiled the new bike to a group of David's friends and family. The presentation was also attended by other supporters and local fundraisers.

Yvonne Bland, ward manager said: "Sadly not all our patient recover. Much of our money comes from family and friends of loved who passed away, in lieu of flowers, which can only be described as an absolute honour and we are proud people do that for the unit."