As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, there was a commitment to support the transformation of stroke services into specialist centres, and the roll out of treatment like mechanical thrombectomy.
Good progress has been made towards this objective, with more to follow. The NHS is currently looking to increase the number of operators that can deliver thrombectomy, beyond the 22 centres and two non-neuroscience centres where the treatment is currently available.
In November, in response to a written parliamentary question on the issue of capital investment into medical thrombectomy, my colleague Ed Argar MP (Minister for Health and Care) said: “The Department and NHS England are conducting a detailed planning exercise following the Spending Review, including funding allocations to specific services, which will be made available in due course.”