Stroke care in Lanarkshire has improved, but performance remains significantly below the Scottish Government's 80% target, according to new data from Public Health Scotland.
Improvement in Lanarkshire
Public Health Scotland's 2025 Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme shows that 49.3% of stroke patients in Lanarkshire received the inpatient bundle, an increase of 8% compared with 2024. The total number of confirmed strokes in the region rose from 1,388 in 2024 to 1,433 in 2025, an increase of 45.
National performance
Across Scotland, 56.7% of 11,048 stroke patients received the care set by national standards. The country has failed to reach its target of 80% of patients receiving an inpatient bundle for the eighth straight year.
Call for more investment
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), one of the country's largest health charities, is calling on the Scottish Government to put greater emphasis on essential stroke care over the course of this administration. The inpatient bundle, which includes aspirin, access to a stroke unit, brain imaging and swallow screening, gives patients the best chance of survival in the critical hours after a stroke.
Joanne Graham, Director of Service Delivery at CHSS, said: “Public Health Scotland’s report shows some encouraging progress in Lanarkshire, with more stroke patients receiving the inpatient bundle than in previous years.
“However, fewer than half of patients are still receiving this essential package of care, which is far below the Scottish Government’s target.
“With the number of confirmed strokes also increasing across the region, it is vital that stroke services continue to receive the investment and attention needed to improve outcomes for patients and their families.
“Investing in stroke care and long-term recovery support can reduce disability, improve quality of life and help more people regain independence.
“We look forward to continuing to support NHS Lanarkshire in the community so everyone affected by stroke gets the support they need.”
