10 February 2026
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said a 24/7 cross-border thrombectomy service based in Northern Ireland could to save lives and reduce long-term disability following stroke.
He was speaking ahead of the SDLP’s Opposition Day in the Assembly on Tuesday.
A thrombectomy can significantly improve outcomes for patients who suffer certain types of ischaemic stroke, but access to the service in Northern Ireland is currently limited to between 8am and 5pm.
The SDLP is calling on the Health Minister to explore the possibility of establishing a co-funded 24/7 cross-border service in Belfast.
South Down MLA Colin McGrath said:
“For years we have rightly been told that when someone has a stroke, every minute matters. The longer treatment is delayed, the greater the risk of permanent disability or death. For patients who are clinically eligible, thrombectomy can be life-changing and can dramatically improve recovery when delivered in time.
“In 2022 the then Executive and Health Minister committed to having a 24/7 thrombectomy service in place by the end of 2024. That deadline has now been missed. Our current service operates within limited hours, and when it is unavailable some patients who could benefit from thrombectomy are simply unable to access it. That is not acceptable.
“We are repeatedly told that the barrier is cost, but that argument ignores the long-term human and financial cost of failing to provide timely treatment. Delays in stroke care lead to higher levels of disability, greater pressure on families and significantly increased costs for the health and social care system. There is also an opportunity to explore whether these services could be funded and provided on a cross-border basis so that people in places like Sligo, Dundalk and Donegal do not have to travel to Dublin for this treatment.
“As part of our Opposition Day, the SDLP is calling on the Health Minister to honour the commitment that was made and to set out a clear, realistic timeline for the introduction of a full 24/7 thrombectomy service. It is not right that people here have a lower chance of recovery after stroke than patients elsewhere on these islands. Every effort must be made to give patients the best possible outcomes and save lives.”