500 days since missed 24/7 thrombectomy commitment — Stroke Association urges Health Minister to act now

Stroke survivors and healthcare professionals from across Northern Ireland gathered at Stormont to urge the Health Minister to deliver 24/7 thrombectomy services, over 500 days after the commitment was made in the Executive’s Stroke Action Plan.

Under the 2022 Stroke Action Plan, the Executive committed to introducing a 24/7 thrombectomy service by the end of 2024. But 500 days have since passed and there remains no clarity on when patients can expect full round-the-clock access.

Thrombectomy is a game-changing treatment to remove the blood clot which causes a stroke. 1.9 million brain cells are lost every minute after a stroke, so the quicker someone receives the treatment, the better chance they have of making a good recovery. When delivered in a timely manner, the procedure can save brain function, reduce disability, and ultimately changes lives as well as being cost-effective for long-term care and rehabilitation.

Yet around 140 patients each year in Northern Ireland are missing out, as the procedure isn’t available 24/7, so the Stroke Association NI is campaigning to improve access to thrombectomy. Currently, it is only available between 8am and 5pm, so anyone admitted to hospital outside these hours would have to wait until the following morning – which can make a huge difference to the impact of their stroke and recovery.

More than 30 healthcare professionals, stroke survivors and their loved ones convened at Stormont today to raise awareness of this missed deadline. They called on the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to provide the funding needed, so every patient can assess thrombectomy services, no matter the time of day.

Lauren Shaw, Policy and Influencing Lead at the Stroke Association, said: "Thrombectomy is a remarkable treatment, but its impact depends on patients being able to access it quickly. Clinicians in Northern Ireland are doing exceptional work, but every day without 24/7 provision means more patients risk missing their chance of making the best possible recovery.

“More than 500 days after the Department of Health missed its Stroke Action Plan commitment to a 24/7 thrombectomy service, patients and their families are still waiting. The Health Minister must now back our stroke teams and deliver appropriate funding so that no one misses out on life-changing treatment because of the time of day their stroke happens."

Gemma O’Hara, from County Antrim, had a stroke seven months ago at just 39 years old. She had just returned from a holiday in Turkey and had a shooting pain down her neck, her heart was racing and her eyes were stinging. She then felt a tingling sensation down her left-hand side and told her partner to phone an ambulance as she knew she was having a stroke.

Gemma said: “It was a very scary experience as I felt like I was trapped in my own body. I couldn't speak and I could barely walk. I couldn’t communicate how I was feeling.”

When Gemma arrived at Antrim Area Hospital, she received thrombolysis medication which dissolves the clot, and was then sent to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where she was fortunate to receive a thrombectomy.

“They call it a miracle treatment and for me it was. I feel I must use my voice for others who won't be able to. Just because you have a stroke during the night should never be a factor in receiving such life-changing treatment. Thrombectomy saved my life and it should be available 24/7. I can’t imagine what my life would be like now if I hadn’t received the thrombectomy in time.”

The Stroke Association supports stroke survivors and their families by phone, at home, and in the community. Find out more at www.stroke.org.uk