Salford Royal’s round-the-clock mechanical thrombectomy service has become a vital lifeline for stroke patients across Greater Manchester.
Now in its fourth year offering access to a life-saving procedure at any hour, the service has transformed outcomes for hundreds of individuals, reducing disability, restoring independence, and giving many a second chance at life.
Thrombectomy is a breakthrough intervention that removes blood clots from the brain’s arteries, restoring blood flow and dramatically improving recovery prospects. For patients, it often means avoiding long-term disability and regaining quality of life.
As a leading tertiary neuroscience centre, Salford Royal has continually expanded its thrombectomy service to meet growing demand.
With over 200 procedures performed per year and outcomes improving significantly, the team’s expertise and dedication are making a measurable difference across the region.
The procedure itself is minimally invasive: a catheter is guided through the arteries to the site of the blockage, where advanced tools are used to extract the clot.
It’s a precise, high-stakes intervention where every second counts and it’s reshaping the way acute stroke care is delivered.
Reflecting on the impact of the service, Dr Hannah Stockley, consultant interventional neuroradiologist at Salford Royal shared: “Our goal was simple: stroke patients shouldn't be denied life changing / saving treatment because of the time of day.
“Our team has worked tirelessly, helping to deliver positive results and transform lives.”
With ongoing advancements in stroke research and treatment, Salford Royal strives to lead the way ensuring every patient receives the right intervention at the right time.
Below are two images from a mechanical thrombectomy procedure – the first one is before the clot is removed with loss of blood flow to the left hand side of the brain resulting in right sided paralysis and loss of speech/understanding of speech (with a clot in the left middle cerebral artery - where the black line just stops) and the second image is following the procedure resulting in complete restoration of the blood flow to the left hand side of the brain. Patient made an excellent recovery and was able to move and talk again within a few hours of the procedure.
