Northern Ireland son’s emotional story highlights urgent call for 24/7 thrombectomy service

Documentary participants and clinicians calling for political action to improve access to life-saving thrombectomy treatment.

A Northern Ireland man’s powerful account of his father’s stroke has taken centre stage in a new documentary shown at Stormont, prompting renewed calls for political action to improve access to life-saving thrombectomy treatment.

Over 40 healthcare professionals, politicians and stroke survivors from across Northern Ireland attended the screening of Thrombectomy: Restoring Life on Tuesday, 4 November, timed to mark World Stroke Day.

Directed by 34-year-old County Armagh videographer Harry Bateman, the short documentary explores the traumatic experience that unfolded after his father, William, suffered a severe stroke in 2019 — and the critical role thrombectomy played in saving his life.

“Every minute counts”: A family’s ordeal that became a call to action

Harry’s father was home alone when he suffered the stroke. Hours passed before he was found collapsed and unresponsive in the hallway of the family home. He was rushed to Craigavon Area Hospital where he received thrombolysis — a clot-busting drug — before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

There, at around 11pm, a team of doctors and surgeons arrived out-of-hours to perform the urgent thrombectomy procedure that removed the clot.

Harry said he had never heard the term before 2019, but now its meaning is painfully clear.

He explained:

“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.”

The family remains deeply grateful to the medical teams who acted quickly:

“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.”

A life-changing treatment — but not always available

Thrombectomy is widely regarded as a game-changing stroke treatment. By physically removing the blood clot blocking the brain’s blood supply, it can save brain tissue, reduce disability and dramatically improve recovery.

Crucially, 1.9 million brain cells die every minute that a stroke goes untreated — meaning delays can have devastating consequences.

Despite this, the procedure is not available 24/7 in Northern Ireland. It can currently only be carried out between 8am and 6pm at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Patients who arrive outside these hours must wait until morning — a delay that can alter their chances of recovery and even survival.

Around 100 stroke patients in Northern Ireland miss out on thrombectomy every year due to the lack of a round-the-clock service.

Stroke Association urges Executive to act

The Stormont screening brought together stroke specialists, political representatives and campaigners pushing for urgent change.

Alasdair O’Hara, Northern Ireland Director at the Stroke Association, said the documentary underlines the life-changing potential of thrombectomy:

“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.”

He added that while teams across the health service have worked “tirelessly” to build the existing service, political commitment is now essential:

“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.”

The Stroke Association continues its campaign for a fully resourced 24/7 thrombectomy service in Northern Ireland.

The documentary, Thrombectomy: Restoring Life, can be viewed below.

Anyone affected by stroke can contact the Stroke Support Helpline on 0303 3033 100.