A WOMAN whose partner had a severe stroke while on holiday has told how he could have died had it not been for revolutionary treatment he received in Majorca.

Annie Andrews is campaigning for a better care for stroke patients after her partner Norrie Jenkins' life was saved thanks to a pioneering treatment which isn't available in Scotland.

Annie says if Norrie had taken ill at home instead of abroad he would not have had access to the lifesaving thrombectomy procedure.

The 69-year-old was in Majorca with her Norrie, 76, for her son’s wedding when he suddenly took ill and was unable to move or speak.

Norrie was rushed to a district medical centre where he received thrombolysis treatment, where drugs are used to dissolve blood clots that have suddenly blocked major arteries or veins.

The process had no effect and the pensioner was quickly transferred to a hospital in Palma where doctors carried out a thrombectomy, a treatment where the blood clot causing the stroke is physically removed from the brain.

Within hours of the revolutionary procedure, Norrie was recovering and able to speak and move again.

Annie, of Largs, said: "You're first reaction when anything like that happens on holiday is that you wish you hadn't gone.

"I was thrown into a blind panic and with the language barrier it was incredibly stressful.

"Norrie had a small stroke prior to us going away and we had considered not travelling, but he was determined with it being my son’s wedding that we would go.

"But now looking back I count us lucky that we did because if we hadn't Norrie would have only received the thrombolysis treatment, which didn't help.

"He would not have been able to get the thrombectomy in Scotland and would have likely ended up in a wheelchair unable to speak for the rest of his life and needing 24 hour care.

"I am lucky I wasn't taking him home in a bodybag, because it was so severe there was a chance he may not have survived at all.

"At the time you wish you were home because we have some fantastic stroke units, but unfortunately it’s not until something like this happens that you realise there are limits to care in Scotland.

"I know the NHS is under immense pressure with funding cuts but to not have this treatment available is shocking. We seem to be lagging behind.

"On the whole Norrie has made a fantastic recovery and he is back to doing just about everything he was before, including going to the gym."

Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland has been campaigning for the Scottish Government to make thrombectomies available after a very limited service was withdrawn in 2018.

The charity says the procedure gives people the best chance of living without disability and dependency after a severe stroke and should be available to an estimated 600 to 800 stroke patients each year in Scotland.

Annie says the treatment needs to be widely available and is taking part in the Sroke Association's Resoltuion Run on March 15 to raise funds and awareness for the cause.

She added: "There are so many people who would benefit from the treatment if it was to become available here. There would be hundreds who would be saved from life in a wheelchair or restricted living.

"I am doing the walk to raise funds but also to raise awareness.

"It isn't just a matter of making it available but having the funding and resources for doctors to train in the procedure and invest in the provision of care for stroke patients.

"To get the treatment would be brilliant, but the stroke association also need funds to help with after care."

There are 1.2 million stroke survivors in the UK living with devastating wide-ranging disabilities such as speech difficulties, memory loss and mental health issues.

The Stroke Association provides specialist support, funds critical research and campaigns to make sure people affected by stroke get the very best care and support to rebuild their lives.