Stroke Association response to the Royal College of Radiologists' Census report

Dr Rubina Ahmed, Associate Director for Research and Policy at the Stroke Association said: “This new report from the RCR rightly highlights the effects that an understaffed radiology service has on the ability to deliver acute stroke care. The lack of 24/7 availability of interventional neuroradiology services is resulting in thousands of eligible stroke patients missing out on game changing stroke treatments, like thrombectomy. This treatment has the ability to transform lives by significantly reducing the chance of disability post stroke, but it is still subject to an unacceptable postcode lottery. Strokes can happen at any time and it is essential to Act FAST when responding to a suspected stroke as every second counts. That’s why access to thrombectomy must be available around the clock to all that could benefit, as soon as possible.

“It is good to see that some improvement is being made in the recruitment of radiologists, but the size of the vacancy gaps across the whole stroke pathway is worrying. Stroke is a time sensitive condition and for every minute stroke goes untreated, 1.9 million brain cells die. In order to support more people to survive and be given the best chance at recovery from stroke, we need to see this gap closed.”