Small Steps Forward but Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Warns Scottish Government is Still Failing Stroke Patients 

• In the last year, 11,048 people in Scotland had a stroke, down from 11,341 in 2024.  
• Just over half of Scots (56.7%) who had a stroke last year got access to necessary standards of treatment which aims to ensure the best chance of survival and recovery. 

• Just 210 life-changing thrombectomy procedures were carried out, despite approximately 900 stroke patients being eligible.  

 

The Scottish Government has failed to meet its own targets for stroke care bundle delivery for the eighth successive year.  

Figures released today from Public Heath Scotland’s 2025 Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme revealed 56.7% of 11,048 stroke patients received an inpatient bundle which is well short of the government’s own 80% target. 

The stroke bundle relates to national stroke care standards that patients may require; including aspirin therapy, access to a stroke unit, brain imaging and swallow screening when they present to hospital with a stroke. In 2024, the figure was 53.1%. 

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), one of the country’s largest health charities, is calling on the Scottish Government to put greater emphasis on essential stroke care over the course of this administration. 

As previously outlined in their manifesto campaign, the charity is urging the Scottish Government to deliver extensive improvements to stroke care including the widespread delivery of 24/7 thrombectomy, a potentially life-saving procedure for those experiencing ischaemic stroke. 

It is estimated that 10% of ischaemic stroke patients are eligible for thrombectomy. In 2025, 210 thrombectomies were delivered comparable to 212 the year before, just 2.2% of Scottish ischaemic stroke patients in both years. 

The quality of care and timely intervention for stroke is vital as stroke remains one of the biggest causes of long-term adult disability in Scotland.   

Joanne Graham, Director of Service Delivery at CHSS, said: “Today’s Public Health Scotland report shows some welcome progress in stroke care, but there is still a long way to go before everyone affected by stroke receives the appropriate treatment, care and support they deserve. 

“While the number of strokes has decreased slightly and the proportion of stroke patients receiving the bundle has increased marginally since 2024, progress is not being achieved at the pace required. 

“The inpatient bundle performance rate pre-Covid was 64%, which is still well below the government’s 80% target, and we have not come close to reaching that level since. 

“We’re also not seeing enough progress when it comes to thrombectomy. There has been almost no change from 2024 to 2025 in terms of procedures delivered. 

“This is having a potentially devastating impact on stroke outcomes for Scottish stroke survivors. 

“These challenges have been recognised for many years, and we need the Scottish Government to build on today’s marginal progress and continue driving better outcomes for people affected by stroke over the next five years. 

“Investing in stroke services, rehabilitation and recovery support can improve quality of life, reduce disability and deliver long-term benefits for both patients and the wider health system. 

“Too often the conversation about stroke ends when a patient leaves hospital, but recovery can continue for months and years afterwards. We know that access to rehabilitation, community stroke nurse support, access to supported self management programmes and community services can dramatically improve quality of life and help people regain independence. 

“CHSS is already supporting stroke survivors across Scotland through our community health care model and supported self management programmes, and we remain ready to work alongside the Scottish Government and NHS partners to ensure more people can rebuild their lives after stroke, regardless of where they live or their circumstances.” 

Stroke survivor Derek Grainger, 61, from Musselburgh, experienced the benefits of receiving timely stroke treatment and ongoing rehabilitation support after suffering a stroke in June 2025. 

CHSS says his recovery demonstrates the life-changing impact effective stroke care can have when patients receive the right support at the right time. 

A coaching supervisor with a large transport company in Edinburgh, Derek was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh after collapsing at home. 

He said: “I was treated quickly, I was treated well and that has made a massive difference to my outcomes. 

“The hospital was fantastic with me. I take my hat off to them for what they have to deal with. Everything was explained to you every day; somebody came and spoke to you.” 

Derek is now on a phased return to work and credits both NHS staff and CHSS with helping him rebuild confidence following his stroke. 

After leaving hospital, he took part in CHSS’s six-week supported self management programme and received support from the charity’s stroke nurse service. 

“The support I received in the programme helped me massively”, said Derek.  

“You have all these questions in your head, and when you went along, the leader of the class explained things. Everybody else came with different scenarios that you hadn’t even thought of yet. The mix of the whole class was good, bouncing ideas off each other, how they’ve suffered and how they’ve combined different things to try to overcome it.” 

Derek added: “The work CHSS does is incredible, and I’d like as many people as possible to experience what I did. 

“I’m back on a phased return. My employers have been fantastic from day one. No hassle, no grief. They’ve been very understanding and very helpful with everything. 

“That’s why every bit of support is important. Every small bit makes a massive difference.” 

If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid, or supporting someone who is, our Advice Line is here for you. Call 0808 801 0899, text ADVICE to 66777, or email adviceline@chss.org.uk for support, information or simply someone to talk to.