Eastleigh News, 27th January 2020
Eastleigh MP Paul Holmes has voiced his support of routine cardiac screening for youths between the ages of 14 and 35. His expression of support comes after he took part in a screening event carried out by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) over the weekend. Over the course of the two day event, 200 young people were screened for cardiac abnormalities that could lead to Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD), including the 31 year old MP.
The event was organised by the Hampshire Cricket Foundation and took place at the Ageas Bowl. Funded by money raised at a Ladies Lashes Charity Luncheon at the Bowl, it was free of charge to those attending. The screenings were in memory of Claire Reed, a local young woman who passed away due to YSCD while celebrating at a hen party with friends. Her parents, Graham and Anne Hunter, attended the event and were able to express to the MP their grief over the sudden loss of their daughter and their disappointment with the UK National Screening Committee deciding against recommending cardiac screening be offered to all young people on the NHS. Graham and Anne have raised thousands of pounds in order to fund screenings that could save young lives and prevent other families from experiencing their pain.
MP Paul Holmes had this to say:
“This sort of screening can help save the lives of countless young people who may have undiagnosed heart conditions and could be at risk. There is a strong argument for a pilot screening programme which would build the case for a national screening programme for all young people. I’ll be writing to the Health Secretary next week to make this point and praise all the volunteers who give up their time to conduct the screening sessions.”
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