STROKE victims in Scotland are "missing out on their best chance of recovery" because a blood clot procedure widely available in Europe and other parts of the UK is not being routinely carried out on NHS Scotland.

Doctors writing in the Herald today stress that the treatment, known as mechanical thrombectomy, can save lives or prevent "significant life-changing disability".

Case study: 'I think I'd be in a wheelchair now if it wasn't for thrombectomy'

The technique uses CT or MRI scanning technology to pinpoint the location of the clot, before a catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin and fed to the location of the blockage.

A retrieval device is then inserted through the catheter to catch and retrieve the blood clot.

It is suitable for around one in ten patients who have suffered an acute ischaemic stroke, where a blood clot blocks an artery to the brain causing a sudden loss of circulation and oxygen to the region.

Clinical trials have shown that around 50 in every 100 eligible patients who undergo a thrombectomy will suffer lower long-term disability as a result, and 20 in every 100 will avoid being dependent on other afterwards for their care.

It is estimated that some 600 patients in Scotland could benefit from the procedure, but in 2017 - the most recent year for which data is available - it was performed just 13 times.

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That compares to 9000 a year in Germany, 4500 in France and 2,400 in Spain. England has an annual target this year to carry out 1000 thrombectomies, with plans and proposed funding to boost capacity to 8000 in future.

The only Scottish hospital where they were done at all is Edinburgh's Western General, but it has never been a routine service and in 2018 was withdrawn altogether due to a lack of specialist staff and funding.

The Scottish Government is now under pressure from medics and campaigners to draw up clear plans for its reinstatement on a much bigger scale.

In an Agenda in today's Herald, Dr Simon Hart and Dr Sarah Keir, of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh, call for urgent action.

Read more: Just 13 patients in Scotland underwent thrombectomy in 2017

They write: "Previously, Scotland was proud to be at the forefront of the last significant advance in the late 1990’s, for a new emergency treatment for people having an ischaemic Stroke – thrombolysis.

"In the early 2000’s pioneering thrombectomies were performed in Edinburgh. Thrombectomy is now widely available elsewhere today, not only in Europe, but also Scandinavia, Australia and North America; most modern healthcare systems.

"Currently there is no service in Scotland. There remains no date set for starting this service.

"This inequality of provision between Scotland and other countries worldwide and even the other devolved nations across Britain, is clear. It is time that this is addressed."

There was "neither effective planning nor timely implementation" of a thrombectomy service for Scotland in the past, they say, and stress that the "clear advantage of mechanical thrombectomy over other available treatments, including thrombolysis alone, has been revealed with strong evidence from numerous randomised clinical trials".

Thrombolysis uses enzymes injected into a patient's bloodstream to dissolve clots.

On Thursday, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said a plan for a thrombectomy service is being developed by NHS planning chiefs, and will be discussed in May.

Charity Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) said the delays are having a huge impact on patients.

Jane-Claire Judson, CEO of CHSS said: “It means that doctors will be unable to give a life-changing treatment to people who desperately need it.

“Every missed Thrombectomy is a missed opportunity to help someone walk again after a severe stroke, hold those they love or even say “I love you” using their own voice.

“Despite assurances from the Cabinet Secretary last year around quick action, it seems that we are no further forward in ensuring stroke patients will be able to receive thrombectomies in 2019.”

READ MORE: Agenda: Giving stroke patients the best chance possible

A spokesman for the RCPE said: “We know that thrombectomy services are available in England – as well as in Europe - but unfortunately not currently in Scotland. We as a College support the drive to ensure that thrombectomy services are available for Scottish stroke patients.

“We back the doctors who are campaigning for Scottish thrombectomy services, as they know how much of a difference mechanical thrombectomy can make to patients across the country.”.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We fully support the development of thrombectomy services, which we believe can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for people who have suffered ischaemic stroke by avoiding or reducing the level of disability.

“The Health Secretary has asked that a national planning framework is developed to ensure a high quality and clinically safe service can be implemented. 

"The Directors of Planning Thrombectomy Advisory Group are designing this plan which will be submitted to the National Planning Board at their next meeting.”