Overview
- A survey by the British and Irish Association of Stroke Physicians of 100 acute hospitals found 70% of stroke units are short of at least one consultant, with 96 consultant vacancies reported by respondents.
- The latest Sentinel Stroke national audit reported an average of four hours and 11 minutes to reach hospital in 2024–25, and only 46.5% of patients were admitted to a specialist unit within four hours of arrival.
- Senior clinicians estimate that 10–20% of stroke patients each year are left avoidably dead or more disabled because delays block access to timely assessment, thrombolysis, or thrombectomy.
- Units are relying heavily on locum doctors as 10% of substantive stroke consultants approach retirement within five years, leaving some smaller, rural, coastal, and deprived hospitals without 24/7 senior cover.
- The Department of Health and Social Care says the NHS has 7,000 more doctors than a year ago and pledges a workforce plan, while the Stroke Association forecasts annual strokes could rise to 151,000 by 2035.