On 5th November, the East Midlands ISDN hosted its first face-to-face regional networking event at a local conference centre, Attended by stroke doctors, nurses and therapy leads from across the region, the event was very well received and gave the opportunity for updates on stroke research, thrombolysis QI projects, opportunities for the use of rtelerehabilitation and the ISDN's plans to start the East Midlands Stroke Academy, providing the opportunity to deliver stroke training and updates to clinicians involved in stroke care across the pathway.

The event was kindly sponsored by the CLEAR team who were also there to present the findings and recommendations arising from their recent work in Lincolnshire including establishing virtual wards, changes in community hospital stroke care provision and many other valuable improvements. Stroke Recovery and Empowerment Coach with lived experience Vicky kindly also joined the event and was able to give extremely valuable and insightful feedback based on her own experiences of recovering from stroke.

Given the positive feedback received, the ISDN intends to hold a second event on Wednesday 21st January '26 - more details to come!