AQW 22520/22-27

Mr Danny Donnelly
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 13/02/2025
Answered On Date: 28/02/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, in relation to the Stroke Action Plan, (i) whether he has met the target of 8 per cent of ischaemic stroke admissions in a stroke-receiving hospital receiving thrombectomy by March 2024; and (ii) whether he is on course to meet the target of 10 per cent by March 2026.

Answer:

The thrombectomy targets set in the 2022 Stroke Action Plan were based on a 24/7 service being in place. Given the budgetary constraints, we have not been in a position to expand thrombectomy to 24/7. This would require significant investment including the recruitment of specialist posts within a limited workforce pool. Therefore the 8% target for 2024 and the 10% for 2026 will not be met.

However, I am committed to ensuring as many people as possible from across Northern Ireland continue to benefit from the service within the current hours of operation. The thrombectomy rate of 6% as at March 2024 compares favourably with that for England and Wales.