The Scottish Government has 'failed' stroke survivors, says charity

The Scottish Government has failed stroke survivors for the seventh straight year in a row, a charity has said.

Figures released by Public Health Scotland on Tuesday show that the country is falling “unacceptably short” of its own targets for stroke patients.

Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland said just over half of the 11,341 Scots (53%) who had a stroke last year got access to a care bundle, which includes aspirin, access to a specialised unit, brain imaging, and a swallow screening.

That’s short of the Government’s own target of 80%.

Even fewer stroke patients (2.2%) received a thrombectomy, which is a procedure to remove a blood clot from a blood vessel.

It’s a potentially life-changing operation, according to the charity, and the Scottish figures are “well below” other comparable nations.

“This government has failed stroke survivors and is failing our NHS colleagues who are doing the absolute best they can with the inadequate resources they’re currently being given,” Allan Cowie, chief operating officer at the charity, said.

“Scotland is also falling further behind similar-sized nations, such as the Republic of Ireland, in the delivery of potentially life-changing thrombectomy procedures.”

He said 10.8% of stroke patients in the Republic of Ireland received a thrombectomy in 2024, compared to NHS Scotland figures, and the Scottish Government’s own target of 10%.

“While Scotland’s rate has improved marginally, the disparity remains stark. This is unacceptable,” Mr Cowie said.

It’s a procedure that two-time stroke survivor Michael Macdonald called a “game-changer”.

Mr Macdonald received a thrombectomy after his first stroke at 33-years-old in 2023. He said he feels “lucky”.

“I didn’t realise this procedure is only available 9-5, Monday to Friday,” he said.

“I got to hospital at 4.30 in the afternoon, and I was lucky that the stroke team decided I needed to be treated right away, and they all stayed to do that.

“Now, knowing the difference thrombectomy can make in recovery, I think it’s essential that this procedure is available to everyone, no matter where you live or what time you are admitted to hospital. It’s a gamechanger where stroke recovery is concerned.” 

Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland said stroke is one of the biggest causes of long-term adult disability in Scotland, and it said the quality of care is crucial for recovery.

The charity is urging the Scottish Government to make stroke care an urgent priority, and it is demanding widespread improvements for the delivery of thrombectomy.

Scottish health secretary Neil Gray said: “I want to do everything we possibly can in government to ensure we’re making improvements to stroke care.

“That’s why I’m pleased to see we have made improvements in the number of people getting access to thrombectomy services, but we know there is more to do.”

In the vast majority of stroke cases, Gray said thrombectomy procedures are “absolutely critical”.

That’s why he said the Scottish Government has invested £50m into NHS services.

“We need to do more so we can continue to save lives and give people the best opportunity of being able to live well after having a stroke,” Gray said.