Thrombectomy documentary urges political action on stroke care

Over 40 healthcare professionals, politicians and stroke survivors from across Northern Ireland attended a screening of a short documentary at Stormont in Belfast on Tuesday 4 November to mark World Stroke Day.

Thrombectomy: Restoring Life, directed by 34-year-old videographer Harry Bateman from County Armagh, tells Harry’s family story after his father had a stroke in 2019. It emphasises the urgent need for a 24/7 thrombectomy service in Northern Ireland.  The film also features stroke survivors, politicians, campaigners, and doctors, alongside Stroke Association Directors and experts in practice and policy.

Thrombectomy is a game-changing treatment which removes the blood clot after someone has a stroke. 1.9 million brain cells die every minute that a stroke is left untreated, so it is a very time sensitive procedure and the quicker someone receives it the better chance they have of making a good recovery.  The procedure can save brain function, reduce disability, is cost-effective for both long-term care and rehabilitation and ultimately change lives.

Yet around 100 patients each year in Northern Ireland are missing out as thrombectomy isn’t available 24/7 so the Stroke Association in Northern Ireland is campaigning to improve access to the treatment. Currently, it is only available between 8am and 6pm at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, so anyone admitted to hospital outside these hours would have to wait until the following morning – which can make a huge difference to the impact of their stroke and recovery.

Alasdair O’Hara, Northern Ireland Director at the Stroke Association, said: “It’s impossible to watch this documentary without marvelling at the power of thrombectomy and the impact this game changing stroke procedure has had on the stroke survivors interviewed. The potential for this procedure to save brains, save money and save lives is there for all to see.

“We know that staff in the Royal and stroke teams throughout NI have worked tirelessly to build the thrombectomy service. We now need the NI Executive to prioritise stroke and commit to investing in thrombectomy so that every stroke patient has the chance to benefit from this life-saving procedure."

In May 2019, Harry’s father William had a stroke when he was home alone. He was found collapsed and unresponsive in the hallway of the family home several hours later. The family called an ambulance, and William was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital.

William received thrombolysis, a clot-busting drug, and after some time, he was transferred to Royal Victoria Hospital. Once there, a team of doctors and surgeons came in out-of-hours at around 11pm to perform William’s thrombectomy. 

Harry said that before 2019, he had never heard of a thrombectomy. He added: “Since then, the term ‘thrombectomy’ has remained at the forefront of my mind. I credit this procedure with saving my father's life after he had a stroke. My dad has been left partially disabled down one side of his body and has remained mostly non-verbal. He is still very much a huge personality to his family and friends, a loving husband, father and grandad. 

“We are extremely grateful to the medical professionals who took care of him. We dread to think what the outcome might have been had my dad not received a thrombectomy within the timeframe that he did.

"Every minute counts during a stroke, and without round-the-clock access to thrombectomy, lives are being lost, and survivors are left with preventable disabilities. I urge everyone to watch this film, to see what life looks like for me and my father, post-stroke. I urge you to make up your own mind about thrombectomy, and I hope that you will see the impact that it has made on our lives."

You can watch the documentary here - Thrombectomy: Restoring Life | Stroke Association

If you or someone you know has had a stroke and would like support, please call the Stroke Association’s Stroke Support Helpline on 0303 3033 100.