Ballymena mum says thrombectomy ‘saved my life’ as NI misses 500-day stroke pledge

Ballymena woman Gemma O’Hara

A Ballymena woman who suffered a stroke at just 39 years old has spoken publicly about the “miracle” treatment that saved her life as pressure mounts on Northern Ireland’s Health Minister to deliver long-promised 24/7 thrombectomy services.

Gemma O’Hara says she cannot bear to think what her life would look like today had she not received the emergency clot-removal procedure in time after collapsing shortly after returning home from a holiday in Turkey.

Now, more than 500 days after Stormont missed its own deadline to provide round-the-clock thrombectomy treatment across Northern Ireland, stroke survivors, doctors and campaigners have gathered at Stormont demanding urgent action.

The Stroke Association says around 140 patients every year in Northern Ireland are currently missing out on potentially life-changing treatment because thrombectomy is still not available overnight.

‘I felt trapped in my own body’

Gemma suffered her stroke seven months ago after returning from holiday.

She described feeling a shooting pain down her neck before her heart began racing and her eyes started stinging. Soon afterwards, she experienced tingling down the left-hand side of her body and immediately realised something was seriously wrong.

Knowing she was having a stroke, she told her partner to call an ambulance.

“It was a very scary experience as I felt like I was trapped in my own body,” Gemma said.

“I couldn’t speak and I could barely walk. I couldn’t communicate how I was feeling.”

Gemma was initially treated at Antrim Area Hospital, where she received thrombolysis medication designed to dissolve blood clots before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for a thrombectomy procedure.

Thrombectomy involves physically removing the clot causing the stroke and is regarded as one of the most significant advances in stroke treatment in recent years.

“They call it a miracle treatment and for me it was,” Gemma said.

“I feel I must use my voice for others who won’t be able to. Just because you have a stroke during the night should never be a factor in receiving such life-changing treatment.

“Thrombectomy saved my life and it should be available 24/7. I can’t imagine what my life would be like now if I hadn’t received the thrombectomy in time.”

500 days after missed pledge

Stroke survivors who support a 24/7 thrombectomy service

Under Northern Ireland’s 2022 Stroke Action Plan, the Executive committed to introducing a fully operational 24/7 thrombectomy service by the end of 2024.

But campaigners say more than 500 days have now passed since that target was missed, with no confirmed date for full implementation.

Currently, thrombectomy services in Northern Ireland only operate between 8am and 5pm.

That means patients who suffer a stroke outside those hours can face waiting until the following morning before the procedure becomes available — despite every minute being critical during a stroke.

Medical experts estimate that around 1.9 million brain cells are lost every minute after a stroke occurs.

The Stroke Association says rapid access to thrombectomy can dramatically reduce disability, improve recovery outcomes and lower long-term health and social care pressures.

Stormont gathering calls for funding

More than 30 healthcare professionals, stroke survivors and family members gathered at Stormont today calling for action.

More than 30 healthcare professionals, stroke survivors and family members gathered at Stormont on Tuesday, May 19, to highlight the ongoing delay and call for funding to finally deliver the service.

Campaigners urged Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to provide the resources needed to ensure patients can access thrombectomy treatment regardless of the time of day their stroke happens.

Lauren Shaw, Policy and Influencing Lead at the Stroke Association, said patients and families have been left waiting far too long.

“Thrombectomy is a remarkable treatment, but its impact depends on patients being able to access it quickly,” she said.

“Clinicians in Northern Ireland are doing exceptional work, but every day without 24/7 provision means more patients risk missing their chance of making the best possible recovery.

“More than 500 days after the Department of Health missed its Stroke Action Plan commitment to a 24/7 thrombectomy service, patients and their families are still waiting.

“The Health Minister must now back our stroke teams and deliver appropriate funding so that no one misses out on life-changing treatment because of the time of day their stroke happens.”

Thousands affected every year across Northern Ireland

More than 4,000 people survive a stroke every year in Northern Ireland, but charities warn that survival is often only the beginning of a long recovery journey.

Stroke-related brain damage can leave survivors unable to move, speak, swallow or see, while families often face major emotional, physical and financial pressures during rehabilitation.

The Stroke Association says strokes can affect anyone — including young adults and children — and has renewed calls for urgent investment in stroke care services.

The charity provides support for stroke survivors and families by phone, at home and within local communities across Northern Ireland.

Anyone affected by stroke can find support and information at www.stroke.org.uk or contact the Stroke Support Helpline on 0303 3033 100.

The growing pressure on Stormont now leaves fresh questions over when Northern Ireland patients will finally receive the same round-the-clock access to thrombectomy treatment already available elsewhere in the UK.