Claims of ‘Russian roulette’ for stroke patients over ‘life-saving’ treatment

Stroke patients in Scotland are facing “Russian roulette” over access to a “life-saving, life-changing” treatment, it has been claimed, with a new report revealing only 2.2% of patients last year were given a thrombectomy.

Of the 9,625 cases where Scots had an ischaemic stroke last year, figures from Public Health Scotland showed 212 patients received the treatment – 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% 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”.

Associate director John Watson called for action, noting that a “Scotland-wide, round-the-clock thrombectomy service was promised years ago”.

His comments came as the Public Health Scotland data showed 1,045 patients in Scotland – 10.8% 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, with treatment rate for the “similar rate to 2023” when it was given in 11.3% of cases.

Dr Matthew Lambert, 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.”

It comes after the number of people who suffered a stroke in Scotland rose to 11,341 in 2024, up from 11,137 the previous year.

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.

“Thrombectomy also saves the health and care system £47,000 per patient over five years, potentially providing part of the solution to the current NHS and social care crisis.

“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.”

Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie also criticised the Government over the rate of thrombectomy treatment.

She 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.

“Doctors and charities have made it clear that delivering a 24/7 service is within the power of the Scottish Government. The SNP must act now to ensure that Scots get the stroke services they need.”

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP 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.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “It is a complete scandal that so many patients are being deprived access to this life-saving care.

“By failing to invest properly in stroke care, the SNP are risking the lives of some of the most vulnerable patients.”

Public health minister Jenni Minto said 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”.

Ms Minto stated: “We will continue to work with health boards to drive up standards of local care.

“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.

“We have invested more than £51 million and are grateful to teams across Scotland for helping to expand the thrombectomy service.”