Background:
Stroke prevalence in New Zealand is increasing, placing growing pressure on post-discharge services. Stroke survivors frequently report unmet needs in community service navigation, information access, and psychosocial support. Guidelines recommend peer support to help stroke survivors and families and highlight its potential for community integration, but provide minimal guidance on how it should be implemented. There is a strong sense that peer support is generally beneficial despite challenges.
Objective:
Present an inpatient peer support model on stroke unit integrating community service navigation, peer connection, and information sharing with clinical oversight while maintaining peer-led principles.
Methods:
We developed a fortnightly, one-hour inpatient group in collaboration with Stroke Aotearoa, supported by a Stroke Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Stroke Navigator, who serves as the coordinator. The model prioritises peer connection through participant-led discussions rather than predetermined topics. Discussions focus on what matters most to participants, making conversations relevant and helping people feel comfortable to speak. Participants are encouraged to invite family members/whānau in a role while maintaining a peer-led focus on lived experience. Clinical staff limit directive input, contributing only for clarification or safety concerns, with allied health available ad hoc for discipline-specific queries.
Results:
The model facilitated real-time service linkage, improved awareness of community resources, and supported timely, accessible information sharing while maintaining a supportive peer environment without over-medicalisation.
Conclusion:
This integrated, peer-led inpatient model is feasible and scalable, supporting continuity of care. Expansion is planned to increase session frequency and include discharged patients and stroke patients on other wards.