To ask the Minister of Health, in relation to the Stroke Action Plan, (i) whether he has met the target of 8 per cent of ischaemic stroke admissions in a stroke-receiving hospital receiving thrombectomy by March 2024; and (ii) whether he is on course to meet the target of 10 per cent by March 2026.

The thrombectomy targets set in the 2022 Stroke Action Plan were based on a 24/7 service being in place. Given the budgetary constraints, we have not been in a position to expand thrombectomy to 24/7. This would require significant investment including the recruitment of specialist posts within a limited workforce pool. Therefore the 8% target for 2024 and the 10% for 2026 will not be met.

However, I am committed to ensuring as many people as possible from across Northern Ireland continue to benefit from the service within the current hours of operation. The thrombectomy rate of 6% as at March 2024 compares favourably with that for England and Wales.