Access to Life-Saving Stroke Treatment with a mechanical thrombectomy: Concerns Raised for Patients in Sussex

Recent findings reported by the Health Service Journal have raised serious concerns about the availability and consistency of access to mechanical thrombectomy – a time-critical, brain-saving treatment for stroke patients – at Worthing Hospital, part of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.

Mechanical thrombectomy, where a blood clot is physically removed from an artery in the brain, can dramatically improve recovery prospects when delivered quickly and appropriately.

Nationally, around 4.5% of stroke patients receive the procedure. However, a deep-dive review found that between October and December 2024, just 0.8% of stroke patients at Worthing Hospital were referred for thrombectomy.

This was significantly below both the England average and the already low rate for the wider Sussex stroke delivery network.

Key Issues Identified

The internal review highlighted several systemic challenges affecting timely diagnosis and treatment:

• Limited access to CT angiography, meaning eligible patients were not always properly assessed or were assessed too late.
• Breakdowns in pre-hospital triage, with ambulances bringing patients into Worthing without a clinical team ready to receive them or imaging pre-booked.
• Incomplete recording of stroke onset times, documented in only half of cases—far below the national average—making it harder to determine eligibility for thrombectomy.
• Potential for delayed transfers to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, the specialist centre providing the thrombectomy service.

While the Trust has stated that referral rates have since improved substantially- rising to 4.6% between July and September 2025, there remain concerns about ongoing operational pressures, upcoming service reconfigurations, and whether improvements can be sustained.

A Wider Pattern of Concern

The issues outlined in the HSJ’s reporting echo those raised earlier in a June 2025 Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths, following the death of Barry Myers in January 2024.

In response, the National Medical Director of NHS England acknowledged:

• Ongoing challenges in expanding thrombectomy operating hours at UHSussex.
• Workforce and operational pressures that have prevented the service from moving beyond its initial weekday, daytime provision.
• The need for additional mutual aid pathways outside the region to provide out-of-hours cover.
• Recognition that delays or gaps in service availability carry serious risks for patients experiencing stroke.

The Human Impact

At the centre of this issue are the patients and families who rely on timely, coordinated stroke care. Care that can mean the difference between recovery, long-term disability, or death.

Speaking about affected patients, Francesca Paul, Partner in Fletchers Solicitors, said:

“Access to life-saving procedures such as mechanical thrombectomy is absolutely crucial to recovery for many stroke patients. Where issues in a service prevent people from receiving the urgent care they need, as highlighted by the Coroner earlier this year in the case of Barry Myers, the consequences can be devastating. Anyone adversely affected deserves answers and the opportunity to seek justice.”

Supporting Patients Seeking Clarity and Accountability

Fletchers Solicitors represents patients and families impacted by delays, missed diagnoses and failures in stroke pathways. These cases are not about criticism—they are about ensuring people receive safe, consistent care and that lessons are learned where improvements are urgently needed. If you or a loved one has been affected by concerns around thrombectomy access, diagnostic delays, or stroke management at any hospital, our specialist medical negligence team is here to provide clear guidance and support.