NHS England approves stroke treatment

NHS England has approved a ‘game-changing’ new stroke treatment, called a mechanical thrombectomy.

The approval means 8,000 patients are set to benefit from the revolutionary procedure annually, when it is rolled out to specialist clinics across the country.

A mechanical thrombectomy involves inserting small piece of wire mesh into a blood vessel, usually in the groin area, and travels through arteries to the brain, where it is used to dislodge and remove the blockage.

Trials of the procedure have shown that if a patient undergoes the procedure within six hours of symptoms beginning to show, survival rates and quality of life are dramatically improved.

The treatment will now be introduced at all 24 neurology centres in England, having previously only been available at a limited number of hospitals across the country.

Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, commented: “This major national upgrade to stroke services puts the NHS at the leading edge of stroke care internationally.

“It's another practical example of the NHS quietly expanding innovative modern care that will really benefit patients, but which tends to be invisible in the public debate about the NHS.”

Juliet Bouverie, chief executive at the Stroke Association, added: “Thrombectomy is a real game changer which can save lives and reduce the chances of someone being severely disabled after a stroke.

”Stroke is the fourth biggest killer in the UK, and a leading cause of disability. Current treatment options are limited and do not always work.

“This decision by NHS England could give thousands of critically ill stroke patients an increased chance of making a better recovery.

“It could mean more stroke survivors living independently in their own homes, returning to work and taking control of their lives again as a result. And this will undoubtedly lower NHS and social care costs for stroke.”