MSP backs charity’s call to reinstate vital stroke treatment

A Fife MSP has stepped up calls to see a potentially life-changing treatment reinstated in Scottish hospitals.

Earlier this year, thrombectomy, which is a highly-specialised procedure that involves physically removing blood clots from the brain, was withdrawn from hospitals north of the border, but remains available elsewhere in the UK.

In 2017, only 13 people received the surgery in Scotland before a moratorium was introduced, but it is thought as many as 600 stroke patients could have benefited from it.

Now Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Alexander Stewart, has given his backing to Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland’s calls for the procedure to be brought back.

“In England, 25 hospitals deliver the treatment and £100 million has been identified to develop this further,” said Mr Stewart, who is co-convener of the Scottish Parliamentary cross-party group on heart disease and stroke.

“Our call is for the Scottish Government to step in and identify national funding to reinstate thrombectomy services.

“Thrombectomy is a procedure which changes the lives of stroke patients and can save people from significant disability.

“It is completely unacceptable that this procedure is no longer available to people who need it in Scotland.

“We need to see action as Scottish patients are being left behind compared to elsewhere in the UK.

“Bringing back and expanding thrombectomy services needs to be a priority; it is a matter of life and health, it needs to be addressed urgently and I will vigorously support this campaign.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We expect the directors of the planning thrombectomy advisory group to report early next year on the provision of thrombectomy for Scotland.”