England’s Stroke Treatment Gap: 7 Centres Miss 24/7 Deadline

The NHS has fallen short of its commitment to provide a revolutionary stroke treatment, mechanical thrombectomy, around the clock across England. This comes despite repeated assurances from ministers that the service would be available 24/7 from April 1st.

Thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that can significantly reduce the risk of severe disabilities or death for stroke patients. It involves inserting a catheter into the patient's artery to remove blood clots in the brain, restoring blood flow.

However, seven regional stroke centres in Hull, Middlesbrough, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Brighton, and Coventry are unable to offer this treatment 24/7 due to staff shortages. This means patients in these areas may face critical delays or miss the opportunity for thrombectomy altogether, creating a postcode lottery for access to this life-changing treatment.

The NHS has acknowledged the issue and is working to address it. They have provided £14 million in targeted funding to expand services and train additional staff. However, the Stroke Association has criticized the government's failure to deliver on its promise, leaving patients at a disadvantage.

The treatment is considered a key strategy in reducing the 113,000 avoidable deaths from major conditions in England annually. The NHS spends over £100 million yearly on thrombectomy, aiming to improve stroke care and patient outcomes.