Stroke clot treatment is now available through the night in Northern Ireland

When Gemma O’Hara recovered from a stroke last year, one worry stayed with her: what if it happened again at night, after the specialist service had closed?

Northern Ireland’s regional thrombectomy service now runs 24 hours a day. Previously available from 8am to 5pm, the treatment removes a blood clot to restore blood flow to the brain. The Department of Health says patients have already been treated overnight since the expanded service began on 14 September.

The £5 million investment supports specialist staff and ambulance services, with eight hospitals feeding into treatment at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital. AI-assisted imaging helps clinicians identify suitable patients.

Thrombectomy is only appropriate for some strokes. Gemma’s recovery followed treatment in 2025, before this expansion, and individual outcomes still vary.

But the change addresses the fear she described to the BBC: the clock alone no longer rules out access to this specialist care. For eligible patients and their families, that is a practical reason to feel more secure.

Sources

• BBC News — Gemma O’Hara’s experience and the expanded stroke service
• Department of Health — overnight treatment and regional support