A rare heart disorder is still claiming the lives of young people, despite moves by the NHS to tackle the problem.
The so-called Chapter Eight – designed to act as a model for best medical practice – is not working as intended, according to Dari Taylor, MP for Stockton South and a former Sunderland city councillor.
In 2004, Mrs Taylor, supported by North Durham MP Kevan Jones, introduced the Cardiac Risk in the Young (Screening) Bill, which was backed by 100 MPs.
It led to a new framework chapter (Chapter Eight) which said that people with recognised symptoms of cardiac conditions should be offered appropriate clinical assessment and treatment.
A rare heart condition led to the death of 22-year-old Levon Morland, of West Rainton, four years ago and Kasia Ber, 17, of Horden, County Durham, nearly a year ago.
Mr Morland’s dad Jeff has since been actively fund-raising to help research into cures for heart conditions and has held several events for the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity.
Mrs Taylor said: “Between four and eight young people – usually fit, healthy and active – die each week from a cardiac condition that could have been diagnosed through screening or by recognising acknowledged symptoms of cardiac conditions.”
