The Integrated Stroke and Community Neurological Rehabilitation Service is an integrated service that specialises in providing rehabilitation to patients with a neurological condition (e.g. stroke, aquired brain injury) in their own homes and in the community. Teams consist of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Rehabilitation Assistants and a Case Manager supporting people to work towards identified goals in order to make progress with their rehabilitation.
The Clinical Neuropsychology/Psychology team works alongside therapists during the patient’s rehabilitation journey to support with a wide range of neuropsychological/psychological issues, including emotional adjustment and distress, depression, anxiety, behavioural or cognitive difficulties. The Psychology team maintains close links with University based teaching and training courses, for example trainees undertaking the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) and Trainee Associate Psychological Practitioner studies
Click on the names below to meet our colleagues in the Integrated Stroke and Community Neuro-Rehab Service:
Role: Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist
About: Dr Kirsten Perkins is a Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist working in the Integrated Stroke and Community Neurorehabilitation Service at Blackpool. She is a Charted Clinical Psychologist and trained at University College London and Glasgow University. She is also listed on the British Psychological Society’s Division of Neuropsychology’s Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists.
Before joining the team in Blackpool, Kirsten has held multiple clinical leadership roles in the NHS, covering in-patient, out-patient and community settings and a range of acquired neuropsychological conditions including stroke, traumatic brain injury, neuro-oncolgy and Dementia. She has a keen interest in neuropsychological rehabilitation, including innovative approaches and individualised, bespoke care.
About: Dr Susanne White is a registered Health Care Professions Council Registered Clinical Psychologist and completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2006 at Liverpool University. She works with the Integrated Community Stroke and Neuro-Rehabilitation Service and leads for psychology in the stroke arm of the service. In the past she has also worked locally with the Pain Management, Learning Disabilities, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Breast Cancer and Inpatient Mental Health Services.
She has also completed further training in Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy and her research interests have explored measuring low mood, efficacy of group work, reducing relapse and working with patients and their friends and family. In any team she encourages a biopsychosocial multidisciplinary/ multiagency approach and provides training in the psychological effects of living with physical health challenges.
Role: Clinical Psychologist
About: Dr Hannah Droscher is a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Clinical Psychologist. She works with both the Integrated Stroke & Community Neurorehabilitation Service and the Covid Service in Blackpool. Hannah trained at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent and she is a fully Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). Hannah is also a qualified mindfulness-based interventions teacher and a registered applied psychology practice supervisor.
Before joining the team in Blackpool, Hannah worked in acute, rehabilitation and community services. She has supported adults with a range of neuropsychological problems, including those associated with learning disabilities; autism spectrum conditions; traumatic brain injuries; stroke; and multiple sclerosis. Alongside clinical roles in the NHS, private and charity sectors, Hannah has also worked in academia and has contributed to MSc and Doctorate courses as a guest lecturer.
Her research interests include psychological changes following trauma, neuropsychological and vocational rehabilitation, and group therapy. She is currently working towards the BPS Division of Neuropsychology's Specialist Registration in Clinical Neuropsychology.
Role: Trainee Associate Psychological Practitioner
About: Anna is a Trainee Associate Psychological Practitioner currently working within the Integrated Stroke and Community Neurorehabilitation Service at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. She is currently receiving training in clinical psychology by completing the PGD Associate Psychological Practitioner from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN), and under the supervision of Dr Kirsten Perkins.