|
A
bereaved couple has helped force the Government to boost awareness of
sudden death syndrome after the tragic death of their 11-year- old son.
Wendy and
Robert Hayes, of Pilsey, near Clay Cross. lost son Sam
when he was struck down by sudden death syndrome in May.
Afterwards,
the family was advised to have tests in case they were suffering similar
heart defects.
But when
Mrs Hayes struggled to receive quick and complete screening for her family
including her 13-year-old son Jonathan, she campaigned with the Cardiac
Risk in the Young action group and Labour MP Dari Taylor for better
support.
The
Government has now agreed to set up an expert advisory group to provide
SDS guidelines and awareness for doctors and hospitals.
Mrs Hayes
said; “We’re pleased Dari Taylor pursued this matter and a group is to
be set up to advise doctors because the condition hangs over relatives and
even though tests can’t bring Sam back they could help his brother and
others”.
Ms
Taylor, MP for Stockton South, fought to put a private member’s bill
before Parliament last month calling for automatic, full and standardised
screening for relatives of those struck down by SDS.
However
Ms Taylor was advised such legislation would restrict and interfere with
clinical judgement, so she withdrew the bill but convinced health minister
Melanie Johnson to set up an advisory group.
Ms Taylor
said: “The advisory group will be a powerful and adaptable way of
changing Clinical practice, outlining the latest research and
communicating the urgent need for screening and treatment.
“None
of this could have been achieved without the persistence and passion of
CRY supporters”
North
Derbyshire coroner Tom Kelly backed calls for screening among
schoolchildren.
|
