NI First: Lifesaving Stroke Care Available Round-the-Clock

Northern Ireland has become the first UK nation to offer round-the-clock thrombectomy services for stroke patients. This significant advancement, supported by a £5 million investment from Stormont's Programme for Government, ensures the life-saving procedure is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The expansion began on September 14th, removing the time-of-day barrier to critical stroke treatment. Gemma O'Hara, a Ballymena resident, highlighted the "miracle treatment" after suffering a stroke in September 2025. Despite not having classic symptoms, she experienced severe neck pain, sickness, and vertigo before arriving at Antrim Area Hospital. After receiving clot-busting medication and then a thrombectomy at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, she reported feeling significantly improved within minutes.

Consultant stroke physician Dr. Patricia Gordon explained that thrombectomy is crucial for approximately 10% of stroke patients with large clots, increasing recovery chances by over 50% and reducing mortality by nearly 20%. These are severe strokes often involving major arteries, which can lead to significant disability or death if untreated. The Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast now provides this expanded regional service, involving stroke teams from eight hospitals across Northern Ireland. Artificial intelligence is aiding in rapid patient identification. This transformation aims to increase annual thrombectomy procedures to 300, effectively doubling previous capacity and profoundly improving patient outcomes from dependency to independence.