Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason endovascular thrombectomy treatment is provided 24/7 only at Stoke-on-Trent hospital and St George's hospital in London; and what steps he plans to take to widen the provision of that service.

NHS England is responsible for commissioning endovascular thrombectomy treatment in designated specialised neuroscience centres.

Endovascular thrombectomy treatment requires specialist skills to maintain standards of safety and effectiveness. As the number of trained specialist doctors and staff who deliver the service is very small, not all health trusts provide these services.

Services are being developed nationally in 24 neuroscience centres, with 22 centres currently providing a thrombectomy service. These centres are extending their service hours in a phased and safe way while they recruit and train the required specialists.

Currently there are two centres providing a full 24/7 service, a further six centres will provide 24/7 services by the end of 2019/20. Other centres are developing their services and teams to extend their services over the coming years.