Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will hold discussions with representatives of the Stroke Association on access to mechanical thrombectomy for people who have had an ischaemic cerebral event.

NHS England has committed to increase the delivery of mechanical thrombectomy to 10%, to allow a further 1,600 patients to live independently following a stroke. The latest available data shows that 2.8% of patients are currently receiving thrombectomy services.

Thrombectomy is available in 24 centres in England, with two non-neuroscience centres under development to improve access. Integrated stroke delivery networks and thrombectomy providers are developing services to provide access in England 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Evidence shows that mechanical thrombectomy performed within six hours of the onset of symptoms can reduce brain damage and prevent or limit long-term disability. These benefits are increased with earlier intervention, reducing patient hospital bed stays and the costs of longer-term care.

While no specific discussions are planned, we will consider any such request from the Stroke Association for a meeting to discuss mechanical thrombectomy, subject to diary commitments.