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A new ground breaking
cardiac clinic is to open up next month.
The facility is one of
only four in the whole county to be established by CRY-Cardiac Risk in the
Young-and the charity is looking for around a dozen people to get the
scheme off the ground on the first weekend.
The initiative at Colchester General Hospital has come about following
pressure from the parents of 17-year-old Frinton youngster, Andy Gard, who
died from a sudden cardiac death seven years ago-working with health
bosses in the area and is backed by doctors.
Andy was a promising
young player with Clacton Hockey Club.
The clinic will be operational every other Saturday and will give ECG
tests to those between 14-35 who want to be checked and will be read by
the CRY cardiologist.
Caroline Gard, of Glebe Way, Frinton, who works at the Clacton campus of
the Colchester Institute, said it was a dream come true.
“We have been waiting to get this going for some time now and we are
very grateful that we will be able to use the facilities at Colchester
General,” she said.
“We have had a great deal of support from many people to get this
established. The clinic is
one of only four of its kind in the entire country.
Mrs Gard said that hopefully people will get a clear test but any problems
picked up will then be referred back through the NHS.
The cost of a test is £35 but CRY has money earmarked to subsidise those
who cannot afford it.
“It is part of CRY’s
proactive attempt to pick up those who may have a problem,” added Mrs
Gard.
The launch of the clinic will take place on May 29th.
Anyone in the age range
who wants to be tested should contact
01 255 673598 and leave a message.
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