Kent residents face below average thrombectomy access
It comes as new figures show national targets for care are failing to be met.
Residents in Kent are less likely to have access to a thrombectomy, despite increased demand for the life-saving stroke treatment nationwide.
According to Nick O'Donoghue, Associate Director for the South East of England at the Stroke Association, only 3% of eligible stroke patients in Kent have undergone thrombectomy as of late 2025, falling below the national average of 4%.
Currently, patients in Kent who qualify for thrombectomy must be transferred to centres in London, due to the absence of an operational thrombectomy centre in the region.
Thrombectomy explained
Thrombectomy is a procedure that physically removes a blood clot from the brain after an ischemic stroke, offering patients a chance to return to a normal life more quickly, and preventing increased chances of long-term disability.
Approximately 10% of stroke survivors are expected to be eligible for this treatment, yet only 4% are receiving it across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, highlighting a national disparity in access.
The Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England originally pledged to provide universal access to thrombectomy – a vital procedure to reduce disability and save the lives of stroke patients – across England by 2024.
The target, originally set out in the Long Term Plan in 2019, was later extended to April 2026,1 but has not been met.
Awareness and Support
Nick O'Donoghue stressed the importance of awareness and using the FAST test to recognise stroke symptoms early:
Face drooping
Arms unable to be lifted
Speech difficulties
Time to dial 999
Decisions about thrombectomy eligibility are made by healthcare professionals based on stroke type and timing factors.
As plans for improving thrombectomy access in Kent continue, understanding stroke symptoms and acting quickly remains vital.
An NHS spokesperson said:
“The NHS continues to expand thrombectomy services for those eligible, with more stroke patients receiving it each year, but it is not the right course of treatment for all, and new clot-busting treatments are also helping to improve patient care and reduce the need for more invasive procedures.
“Over 8 in 10 now have access to 24/7 thrombectomy centres, with remaining sites opening in the coming months, and we’re investing an extra £14m to further expand services, and training additional staff to carry out mechanical thrombectomy.”