Health Minister announces 24/7 thrombectomy service

Date published: 5 October 2026

The Minister confirmed the successful implementation of the service during a visit to the Royal Victoria Hospital’s Stoke Unit, where he met patients and the specialist teams delivering the service. 

The expanded service commenced on 14 September and has been successfully implemented and tested in real delivery. This £5 million investment in elective care further demonstrates the Executive’s Programme for Government (PfG) commitment to deliver improved health and well-being for local people. 

Minister Butler said: “This is a landmark moment for stroke care in Northern Ireland. We are leading the way as the first in the whole of the UK to provide a 24/7 thrombectomy service for our entire population. This is something I am immensely proud of. Thrombectomy is one of the most significant advances in modern stroke medicine and can dramatically improve a patient’s chances of recovery.

“I am delighted to officially announce Northern Ireland’s regional thrombectomy service is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Patients are already benefiting from treatment during the expanded overnight hours. 

“It demonstrates what investment, innovation and our highly skilled health service workforce can deliver for patients.”

Thrombectomy treats some ischaemic strokes by removing a blood clot and restoring blood flow to the brain enabling recovery of neurological function. 

Previously, the regional service operated between 8am and 5pm, seven days a week. The move to 24/7 provision means the time of day or night a stroke occurs is no longer in itself, a barrier to accessing treatment. 

The service is delivered at the Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast (RVH) through a regional pathway involving stroke teams at Causeway, Antrim Area, Royal Victoria, Ulster, Craigavon Area, Daisy Hill, Altnagelvin and South West Acute hospitals. 

Artificial Intelligence supported imaging helps clinicians rapidly identify patients who may benefit from thrombectomy, while the investment is also increasing specialist workforce capacity and supporting the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. 

Minister Butler added: “This is a regional achievement. I want to thank everyone across our health service who has worked to make it possible, as well as the stroke survivors, families and campaigners who have made the case for 24/7 thrombectomy. 

“This is investment and expertise translating directly into better care and better outcomes for patients. It is a positive development Northern Ireland can be proud of.” 

Dr Patricia Gordon, Consultant Geriatric Medicine, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, said: “We are immensely proud of our team in Belfast and our colleagues across the region, whose dedication, expertise, and collaboration have made this 24/7 service possible. Patients will now have timely access to life changing specialist treatment whenever a stroke occurs, improving care and outcomes.” 

Alasdair O’Hara, Northern Ireland Director at the Stroke Association, said: “Thrombectomy saves brains, saves money and saves lives. It is vital that anyone who needs it can have it, no matter when or where they have their stroke. We welcome today’s announcement with relief and celebration alongside the stroke survivors and clinicians who have long campaigned for this day to come.”  

Professor Mark Taylor, Regional Clinical Director for Elective Care in Northern Ireland said: “This is what regional working looks like at its best. By bringing clinical expertise, innovation and services together around the patient, we are not simply expanding the treatment, we are strengthening the whole pathway. The impact on patient outcomes will be profound.”