Significant number of stroke patients in England cannot access life-saving treatment, figures reveal

New figures reveal that a significant number of stroke patients in England who could benefit from a life-saving procedure, mechanical thrombectomy, are unable to access it, The Guardian reported on Sunday.

This treatment, which involves removing a clot from the brain to restore blood flow, can greatly reduce the effects of a stroke, and in some cases, allow patients to walk out of the hospital the following day. However, data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) show only 4.3% of stroke patients are receiving the procedure.

While it is estimated that at least 10% of stroke patients could benefit from mechanical thrombectomy, a lack of resources, workforce, and equipment is hindering its national rollout.

According to the report, the National Health Service (NHS) has made efforts to increase access, but the pandemic slowed progress, and availability depends on geographic location.

Some areas, like the University Hospitals of North Midlands, exceed targets and offer better access to the procedure, while others, such as West Yorkshire and Harrogate, have much lower rates of treatment.

The NHS aims to ensure wider access to this transformative procedure, which can prevent disability and death; however, more resources are needed to reach the NHS’s original target of treating 10% of stroke patients with mechanical thrombectomy.