UHNM Charity Thrombectomy Awareness Day Champions Life-Saving Stroke Treatment, Calls for Nationwide 24/7 Service

On Wednesday, 19th November 2025, the bet365 Stadium played host to a pivotal event for stroke care in the UK: the UHNM Charity Thrombectomy Awareness Day. The conference brought together leading clinicians, patients, and healthcare leaders to champion mechanical thrombectomy, a pioneering emergency treatment for stroke, and to demand its 24/7 availability across the country. The day served as a powerful platform to showcase the transformative impact of the procedure, which involves physically removing a blood clot from the brain to prevent lasting disability.

A driving force behind both the event and UHNM's clinical excellence is Consultant Interventional Neuroradiologist, Dr. Sanjeev Nayak. His pioneering work and dedication were vital in orchestrating the day, uniting key stakeholders to advocate for change.

"The Thrombectomy Awareness Day was a testament to what can be achieved when a community of clinicians, patients, and charity come together with a shared goal," said Dr. Sanjeev Nayak. "At UHNM, we see daily how mechanical thrombectomy saves lives and prevents severe disability. However, this is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Our message is clear: a postcode lottery for this treatment is unacceptable. Every stroke patient in the UK deserves access to a 21st-century cure, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and thanks to UHNM Charity we are in a position to drive this service forward."

The agenda featured heartfelt testimonials from patients whose lives were dramatically altered by the procedure, putting a human face on the clinical data. These powerful stories were followed by expert panels featuring high-profile figures including former NHS England Medical Director, Professor Stephen Powis, who discussed the strategic pathway to implementing a comprehensive national service.

The event also provided valuable networking opportunities, fostering collaboration between clinicians from various NHS Trusts and strengthening the national push for service improvement.

UHNM Charity was credited as a crucial enabler of the event and the wider mission to transform stroke care.

"UHNM Charity is proud to fund initiatives that drive real change in patient care," said Lisa Thomson, Director of Charity. "Supporting Thrombectomy Awareness Day aligns perfectly with our goal of helping UHNM deliver life-saving and life-changing treatments. The incredible stories we heard and the expert consensus we saw confirm that investing in this awareness is an investment in saving futures."

The event concluded with a unified call to action for NHS commissioners and policymakers to prioritise the funding and workforce planning needed to make 24/7 mechanical thrombectomy a standard of care for all.