Doctors and patients are calling for wider access to stroke therapy that is currently available only through a postcode lottery system in the UK. Mechanical thrombectomy, a treatment used to remove blood clots from the brain, has been proven to save lives and prevent permanent disability. However, its availability varies greatly across different regions, creating an unfair situation for stroke patients.
Deb Kelly, a 53-year-old prison officer and physical education instructor, experienced a stroke in January. Thanks to receiving mechanical thrombectomy at the Royal Stoke University hospital, she was able to regain her speech and movement, avoiding the risk of paralysis or death.
The procedure involves inserting a wire and tube into an artery in the groin, which is then guided towards the brain to remove the clot. Currently, there are 24 centers in England that offer this treatment, with 10 of them providing 24-hour access. This includes units in London, Bristol, Birmingham, and Greater Manchester. The number of procedures has increased significantly over the past few years, with an 80% rise from 2019-20 to 2022-23.
Although this is a positive development, experts argue that there needs to be a faster rollout of the treatment to save more lives and prevent disability. The Stroke Association estimates that at least 10% of stroke patients in England are suitable for thrombectomy, but only 3.3% actually receive it. There are disparities across the country, with only 0.4% of patients in the east of England benefiting from the treatment compared to 9.8% in London.
The NHS long-term plan had set a target to deliver a tenfold increase in the proportion of stroke patients receiving mechanical thrombectomy by 2022, but this goal was missed. With over 100,000 strokes occurring each year in the UK, there is a pressing need for wider access to this life-saving procedure.
Dr. Sanjeev Nayak, a consultant neuroradiologist, emphasizes that thousands of patients are missing out on the treatment, leading to disability or death. He has joined calls for greater access, highlighting the incredible recovery experienced by patients who receive thrombectomy.
The Stroke Association commends the efforts of thrombectomy teams in improving access but urges for a wider rollout of 24-hour services. Fast access to thrombectomy is crucial in reducing disabilities caused by strokes, such as paralysis and communication difficulties.
Dr. Deborah Lowe, the national clinical director for strokes at NHS England, reassures that the NHS is on track to achieving a tenfold increase in delivering the treatment for eligible patients. They are implementing AI tools for real-time interpretation of brain scans and video triage to ensure prompt treatment.
In conclusion, wider access to mechanical thrombectomy is essential to improve outcomes for stroke patients. Efforts should be made to address the disparities in access across different regions and increase the proportion of eligible patients receiving this life-saving treatment.
