COWDENBEATH councillor Darren Watt is backing a campaign to restore a 'life-changing' procedure for stroke patients.

Councillor Watt and his Scottish Conservative colleague; Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Alexander Stewart, are backing Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s “Bring Back Thrombectomy” Campaign.

Councillor Watt met Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland's policy manager, Katherine Byrne, with Mr Stewart, at the Scottish Parliament, to highlight the problems people suffering a stroke are finding through the procedure no longer being available.

Cllr Watt said: “Thrombectomy is suitable for around one in ten people after an acute ischaemic stroke.

"Without this highly specialised procedure, people experiencing the most severe types of stroke, are likely to be less able-bodied when they leave hospital and less able to take care of themselves".

He added: "Although limited, Thrombectomy was previously available in Scotland, however, last year the service was completely withdrawn, which now means 600 stroke patients throughout Scotland will miss out on the life-changing procedure this year unless we see some significant changes by the Scottish Government.”

The Thrombectomy procedure involves physically removing the blood clot that caused the stroke and opening up the blocked artery. This is most effective if done in the first few hours after a stroke.

Mr Stewart said, “As co-convener of the Cross Party Group at Holyrood for Heart Disease and Stroke, I am completely committed to driving through change.

"Not only do I want to see Thrombectomy services re-instated in Scotland but I want to see it further expanded. In England, 25 hospitals already carry out this procedure and £100m has been identified to develop this service further.

"This needs to be a priority for the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Councillor Watt and I will continue to call on The Scottish Government to bring back Thrombectomy and ensure stroke patients are given the best chance of recovery".