Dan GrimmerA new dedicated stroke unit which is set to provide specialist help to hundreds of Norfolk patients has now opened its doors.The first three patients were admitted yesterday to the unit at Norwich Community Hospital on Bowthorpe Road which will help people benefit from improved services aimed at helping them recover from the effects of stroke.Dan Grimmer

A new stroke unit which is set to provide specialist help to hundreds of Norfolk patients has opened its doors.

The first three patients were admitted yesterday to the unit at Norwich Community Hospital on Bowthorpe Road which will help people benefit from improved services aimed at helping them recover from the effects of stroke.

The Mulberry Rehabilitation Unit now houses the Beech Stroke Rehabilitation Ward and the Alder General Rehabilitation Ward, each with 24 beds, and will also offer care for patients who are well enough to move on from an acute hospital bed, but possibly not yet recovered enough to return home.

Patients primarily from the central Norfolk area - including Norwich, south and north Norfolk - will be admitted to the stroke rehab ward.

Patients in the west of the county will continue to be referred to rehabilitation units and services already established at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in King's Lynn.

Funded by NHS Norfolk, the new unit is the single biggest investment in any capital scheme since the primary care trust was established in 2006.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in partnership with Norfolk Community Health & Care (NHC&C), will manage the new stroke ward, with NCH&C providing services and staff.

Dr Ian Mack, chairman of NHS Norfolk's clinical executive and clinical lead on strokes, said: "This new, purpose-built facility demon- strates a major investment in the care and welfare of our patients, and it is part of our commitment to aid in the recovery of those patients after operations or acute hospital stays, and to reduce the risk of disabilities from traumatic events such as stroke.

"NHS Norfolk made a promise to deliver a dedicated stroke unit for our patients and even better general rehabilitation facilities."

Val Macqueen, acting director of adult services for NCH&C, said: "This new rehabilitation centre will provide even more excellent services, within improved, purpose-built facilities for patients."

Clinicians were involved in advising on the design of the new facility which has been built to current infection control and environmental standards.