Exercise after Stroke Pathway (Guidelines)

TAM (Treatments and Medicines) NHS Highland
NHS Highland

This protocol has been developed to guide stroke survivors, their family/carers and health professionals to promote exercise participation and healthy living after stroke.

The Stroke Improvement Programme (2024) and RCP Guidelines (2024) recommends that stroke patients being discharged home from hospital should have access to appropriately resourced, evidence–based exercise after stroke services. Further to this it recommends that patients with stroke are given advice about increasing their physical activity. This should include exercise classes run by physiotherapists in rehabilitation settings, run by community-based leisure centres (either stroke specific or mixed) and /or physical activity sessions run by local charities. 

Stroke Improvement Plan (2024) 8.2 recommends that stroke patients being discharged home from hospital should have access to appropriately resourced, evidence–based exercise after stroke services tailored to the needs of the individual. Further to this it recommends that patients with stroke are given advice about increasing their physical activity.

Information and advice for stroke survivors and their families

  • Lifestyle information on healthy eating, smoking cessation and the benefits of regular exercise should be shared with the patient and their family
  • CHSS stroke information pack will be given to all patients on discharge from the stroke Unit or when followed up by the stroke nurse service
  • Signpost patients to SelfHelp4Stroke website
  • Signpost carers and family members to Stroke4Carers website
  • High Life Highland develops and promotes opportunities in culture, learning, sport, leisure, health and wellbeing across nine services throughout the whole of the Highlands – www.highlifehighland.com
  • Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland: www.chss.org.uk contains stroke information and signposts to other useful sites.
  • The Stroke Association : www.stroke.org.uk contains stroke information and signposts to other useful sites

Enablement services post-discharge

  • Prior to discharge there will be discussion with the patient and / or their family regarding enablement at home
  • This may include a Home Exercise Programme, a Daily Walking Programme and other individual tailored exercise to continue rehabilitation
  • An 8-week Neuro Physiotherapy class is available for those assessed and appropriate to participate

Access to local leisure and sport facilities

  • High Life Highland have leisure and sports facilities across Highland: www.highlifehighland.com
  • Leisure cards can be purchased at a reduced rate for those on a low income
  • Individual exercise programmes can be developed with the leisure centre personal trainers
  • Private leisure centres and personal trainers can also be accessed throughout Highland if this is the stroke survivor's preference

CHSS Rehabilitation Service

  • This service should be discussed with the patient and /or their family and a referral made and sent to the local CHSS coordinator
  • Self-referrals can also be made via the CHSS website support services on www.chss.org.uk
  • Referrals will be assessed, visited and a tailored programme developed

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 04/12/2025

Next review date: 04/12/2028

Author(s): Stroke and Rehab Department .

Version: 1

Approved By: TAM subgroup of the ADTC

Reviewer name(s): C Christie, Stroke Co-ordinator.

Document Id: TAM398