Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Taoiseach knows, a thrombectomy is a surgery to remove a blood clot from an artery or a vein. The procedure can restore bloodflow to vital organs, such as legs, arms, intestines, kidneys, brain or other vital organs. A thrombectomy can also greatly reduce the risk of death or permanent disablement if performed properly. A thrombectomy must be preformed within a matter of hours to prevent life- or limb-threatening complications from occurring. Not all blood clots require intervention. Considering its impact on patients, it would make perfect sense to fund this procedure.

According to the Irish Heart Foundation, most stroke patients will die or suffer severe disabilities if the plug is pulled on a pledge to fund these vital stroke services. This warning comes after the Health Service Executive has done a u-turn on promises for funding to the national stroke strategy, thereby restricting life-saving services, such as thrombectomies, while also increasing the risk of the closures of stroke units.

The Minister for Health said last March that the stroke strategy would provide significant improvement in service delivery and would improve patient flow and efficiency in the delivery of stroke services. However, just months later, it was being defunded, a failure in the whole-of-life strategy that will cost lives without saving the health service a cent. The HSE has been allocated a considerable budget of €23.5 billion for 2024, representing an increase of 4.6% on last year's funding. Will the Taoiseach liaise with the Minister for Health to ensure that adequate funding is provided? It is very important that these services are saved.

The prediction up to 2035 is that strokes are going to increase by 60%. Some 25% of people will survive if they get the proper services. It is important that we invest in these people.

In respect of home care packages, there are many in hospitals who are looking to get rehabilitated but have nowhere to go. Carers are very important.

The Taoiseach, as a doctor, will know, as we all do, that prevention is the best cure. Perhaps I am getting a bit older but the number of people I see having strokes, day to day, is unbelievable. High cholesterol is one of the signs that is out there at the moment and it is very important that the Department of Health lets people know what the indications are. All I am saying is that we need the funding and services. The Taoiseach's Department rang me yesterday and I told his officials exactly what I was going to speak about today. A few weeks ago, I spoke about people having heart attacks. Your health is your wealth. What is the Government's plan, going forward, for the funding of services for strokes?

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