A ground-breaking cardiac clinic is preparing for its next screening session – and is appealing for those who want to be tested to come forward.

The facility, which has been established by CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), is one of only a handful in the entire country.  The initiative at Colchester General Hospital, was first set up in May and has proved a great success.  So far about 50 people aged between 14 and 35 have been seen, and five of those have been sent for further checks.

The clinic at Colchester came about following pressure from the parents of 17-year-old Frinton youngster Andy Gard who died from a sudden cardiac death more than seven years ago.  His mother Caroline Gard, who works at the Clacton campus of the Colchester Institute, said she was delighted with how the scheme had gone so far and the fact that it had also raised awareness into the condition.

“The good thing is that although five people have been identified for further checks all of them were given the all-clear,” she said.

Mrs Gard worked with health bosses and doctors to get the initiative established.

Andy, who went to Colchester Royal Grammar School ad played hockey for Clacton, was a very fit teenager.  He died just before his 18^th birthday.

The clinic gives ECG tests at a cost of £35 but CRY has funds earmarked to help those who cannot afford it.

The tests are read by the charity’s own cardiologist.

Mrs Gard said that the maximum capacity is about 40 people per session and any problems which are picked up are then referred back through the NHS.

The next clinic will be at Colchester General Hospital on January 22.