Majority of Stroke Patients in England Miss Out on Life-Saving Treatment

The majority of stroke patients in England are unable to access life-saving treatment that could prevent permanent disability or death, according to new data. Despite the fact that mechanical thrombectomy—an advanced procedure to remove blood clots from the brain—can significantly improve outcomes, only 4.3% of eligible stroke patients in England receive this critical treatment.

Mechanical thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure, uses a wire and stent to pull out the clot that is blocking blood flow to the brain. In the best cases, patients can regain normal function and even leave the hospital within days. Experts estimate that at least 10% of stroke patients could benefit from this procedure, but access to it largely depends on where a patient lives.

Figures from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), based at King’s College London, show significant disparities across England. For instance, in West Yorkshire and Harrogate, only 1.7% of patients are treated with the procedure, compared to 8.7% in Thames Valley. While the number of mechanical thrombectomies increased by 30% over the past year—from 2,684 procedures in 2022/23 to 3,501 in 2023/24—this still falls far short of the NHS’s long-term target of treating 10% of stroke patients with the procedure by 2022.

The NHS’s rollout of mechanical thrombectomy has been delayed by several challenges, including a lack of trained personnel and necessary equipment. The COVID-19 pandemic further impeded progress, stretching medical resources thin. NHS England’s medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, emphasized the transformative nature of the treatment, which he described as “one of the most effective clinical interventions in medicine.”

Peter Hooper, a stroke survivor who received the treatment in 2020, highlighted the urgency of expanding access. “It’s terrifying to think that there are people who could be saved from a lifetime of disability, but can’t access this treatment,” he said. “Every minute without blood flow to the brain means the loss of millions of brain cells.”

At University Hospitals of North Midlands, where Hooper was treated, the mechanical thrombectomy program is exceeding the NHS’s national target, treating over 10% of stroke patients. However, this success is not reflected across the country. Many hospitals face challenges in providing the service 24/7, making access to the procedure a postcode lottery.

Dr. Sanjeev Nayak, a neuroradiologist at University Hospitals of North Midlands, stressed the importance of swift intervention for stroke patients, calling it “like a light switch” that can immediately restore brain function. “We need more resources—more nurses, radiologists, and operating suites—to ensure that patients across England can receive this life-saving treatment.”

Despite the hurdles, NHS England is committed to improving access. Professor Powis has pledged to visit all 24 thrombectomy centers nationwide this year to assess the situation and support hospitals in overcoming their challenges. As it stands, thousands of patients who could benefit from mechanical thrombectomy are missing out, and the road to nationwide availability remains a pressing priority.