Scots stroke victims face ‘Russian roulette' for key treatment ‘compared with rest of UK'
Public Health Scotland (PHS) showed only 212 of 9,625 Scots who had an ischaemic stroke last year were given a thrombectomy, where a blood clot is surgically removed from an artery.
The total is up from 153 in 2023 and 112 in 2022, but Public Health Scotland noted it 'still represents only 2.2 per cent of the total number of people who had an ischaemic stroke in 2024'.
The Stroke Association in Scotland said this meant 'less than a fifth of eligible patients' received the treatment, adding that rates for this elsewhere in the UK are 'more than double that in Scotland'.
'Round-the-clock service promised years ago'
John Watson, the associate director, called for action, noting that a 'Scotland-wide, round-the-clock thrombectomy service was promised years ago'.
Mr Watson said: 'Stroke is the third biggest killer in Scotland and the leading cause of complex adult disability. But the latest official figures show the ongoing failure of health boards to make stroke the priority it needs to be.
'The failure is most striking in thrombectomy, a life-saving, life-changing treatment that should be a normal part of any modern healthcare system.'
He added: 'A Scotland-wide, round-the-clock thrombectomy service was promised years ago, yet less than a fifth of eligible patients get the intervention that could transform their lives. The thrombectomy rate elsewhere in the UK is more than double that in Scotland.'
Dr Matthew Lambert, the national clinical lead for stroke, said the report 'this year shows a 'mixed bag' of delivery of stroke care'.
Dr Lambert added: 'There are areas of excellent or significantly improved stroke care delivery, but frustratingly there remains significant variation in delivery between different boards and hospitals, and also between different hours of the day and days of the week.'
The number of people who suffered a stroke in Scotland rose to 11,341 in 2024, up from 11,137 the previous year.
The PHS data also showed 1,045 patients in Scotland – 10.8 per cent of cases of ischaemic strokes – received thrombolysis in 2024.
This treatment sees patients given a clot-bursting medication that restores blood flow in vessels that had been blocked. The treatment rate was 11.3 per cent in the previous year.
Stephen Kerr, a Tory MSP, wrote to Neil Gray, the SNP Health Secretary, demanding a clear commitment to implementing a full 24/7 thrombectomy services across Scotland by the end of the next parliamentary session.
He also called for the mandatory adoption of a broader assessment tool in all clinical and emergency settings to improve stroke detection.
Dr Sandesh Gulhane, the Scottish Tories' shadow health secretary, said: 'We know that strokes are one of Scotland's biggest killers – yet far too many patients are being denied the urgent care required in their time of need.
'Thrombectomy treatment can save lives when delivered quickly, but under the SNP only a fraction of patients are getting it.'
Dame Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour's health spokeswoman, said: 'No-one can choose when they have a stroke, but under the SNP Scots face a Russian roulette when it comes to treatment.
'A quick intervention could be the difference between living independently or struggling with life-changing disabilities – Scottish stroke survivors should have the same access to modern technology as those in England.'
Jenni Minto, the SNP's Public Health Minister, the Scottish Government was 'focused on ensuring people who have had a stroke receive the best possible care as quickly as possible to enable them to live longer, healthier and more independent lives'.
She added: 'We know there is more to do but it is pleasing to see a rise in the number of patients receiving thrombectomy treatment. We will continue work towards increasing access to these procedures.'
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