SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
It comes after the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme gave stroke care at Altnagelvin Hospital an overall grade of an E (substantial improvement required) for the period January- March 2022.
Said the Foyle MLA: “We all know the extreme pressures our health service is under, but the truth is that it cannot be right patients are subjected to a postcode lottery when it comes to their care.
“For example, the vital medical procedure of thrombectomy where a doctor can manually remove a clot is only available at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
“The Stroke Association has rightly called out the unacceptable geographical variation between care in Northern Ireland for this treatment.
“We must redouble our efforts to tackle health inequalities, and this includes access to stroke care.
“The Department should commit to multi-year investment for stroke services and the urgent implementation of the steps outlined in the Stroke Care Action Plan, accompanied by addressing ambulance pressures and exploring opportunities for cross-border provision of care.
“People across the North should be able to be assured that a quality health service is available for all, regardless of geography.”
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