Information pertaining to Mechanical Thrombectomies: FOI Release

Information requested

A. Copies of all research and reports our department has on Mechanical Thrombectomies between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2019, specifically the ones to do with reintroducing these procedures and protocols in Scotland overall and at Ninewells Hospital in particular.

B. The timeline (likely revised due to Covid19 pandemic) for reintroducing mechanical thrombectomies at Ninewells Hospital.

C. The timeline for rolling out mechanical thrombectomies to all of Scotland.

Response

Request A: Copies of research

I attach a copy of some of the information you requested in a PDF format. An exemption(s) under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This is due to personal identifying information being present on one of the documents attached. Using this exemption, I have redacted personally identifying information of junior officials.

Information that includes thrombectomy can be found on the Scottish Government website. Section 25(1) of FOISA recognises that where information is already available to the requester, there is no need to provide an alternative right of access to it through FOISA and copies of the minutes of the National Advisory Committee for Stroke covering 2019 can be accessed at: https://www.gov.scot/groups/national-advisory-committee-for-stroke/.

Thrombectomy is a commitment in Protecting Scotland's Future: the Government's Programme for Scotland 2019-2020 can be found on page 108: https://www.gov.scot/publications/protectingscotlands-future-governments-programme-scotland-2019-20/.

Protecting Scotland, Renewing Scotland: The Government's Programme for Scotland 2020-2021 also underlines this commitment on pages 12 and 68: https://www.gov.scot/publications/protecting-scotland-renewing-scotland-governments-programme-scotland-2020-2021/

Details of all Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office (CSO) supported research is made publically available on the CSO website with lay summary of the project and end of project reports can be found at: https://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/

Updates on NHS service planning including thrombectomy can be found in the NHS National Services Division quarterly updates, available at: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/departments/national-servicesdivision/

Request B: Timeline for thrombectomy rollout at Ninewells hospital

A pilot thrombectomy programme began in the North of Scotland at NHS Tayside on 9 November 2020. A fully operational thrombectomy 24/7 service is anticipated in Tayside by 2023, and will form part of a national network in line with the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government commitment.

A news release regarding the start of the pilot at NHS Tayside can also be found on the Scottish Government website at: https://www.gov.scot/news/better-outcomes-for-stroke-patients/

A link to the social media announcement can be found here: https://twitter.com/scotgovhealth/status/1325804222911287299

If you wish to make a request to NHS Tayside for information under Freedom of Information please send your email to tay.informationgovernance@nhs.scot

Request C: Timeline for thrombectomy rollout across Scotland

In the West of Scotland, the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus will provide a ‘hub’ thrombectomy service for the West of Scotland by 2023, while the NHS Lothian service will also be operating from the Little France site within the same timeframe.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI - 202000037380 - Information released

File type

14 page PDF

File size

770.8 kB