Speaking in the Assembly Ms Bradshaw said: "Thrombectomy is a procedure which if carried out on eligible stroke survivors in a timely manner can save brains, save money and change lives. It significantly reduces the chance of disability, saves £47,000 per patient over a five-year period on average, and enables some people to achieve functional independence.

“Thanks to the efforts of hard-working stroke teams, Northern Ireland has a relatively well-developed thrombectomy service compared to the rest of the UK. However, with only 6.4% of patients receiving thrombectomy, we still fall short of ensuring that every eligible patient can benefit from this life-changing treatment.

"One way to enhance access to thrombectomy is by providing a 24/7 service so that patients can access this no matter when or where they have their stroke. The Department previously committed to delivering a 24/7 service for Northern Ireland by the end of 2024 but are now saying this is unlikely to happen. This is unacceptable and will lead to more serious disabilities and in some cases, death. 

"We need the Minister to work with the stroke community and to commit to thrombectomy expansion by reshaping services to prioritise infrastructure, equipment, workforce training and support. 

"Now is the time to make thrombectomy treatment for stroke a priority. Failing to do so will have devastating consequences on so many lives."