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The parents of a teenager
who died from a sudden cardiac death have welcomed two major new
developments in the battle to raise awareness over the condition.
Caroline and Peter Gard,
of Glebe Way, Frinton told how a new clinic is to be set up at Colchester
General Hospital to test youngsters. And they are fully backing a
Private Members Bill in Parliament aimed at significantly improving and
availability of screening for those recognised as being at high risk.
The couple’s 17 year
old son Andrew was a promising hockey player with Clacton Hockey Club and
went to Colchester Grammar School. He
died in 1997.
Since then £90,000 has
been raised for CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young – across Tendring in
his memory.
Mrs Gard, who works at
the Clacton campus of the Colchester Institute, said the clinic was a big
breakthrough.
“It is something we
were really just dreaming about a couple of years ago and now it is a
reality,” she said. “It will get off the ground in May and will be staged
on Saturdays every other month – although that could be increased if
required.
“Young people can have
an ECG test and will then be advised of the results, there will be
follow-up help from CRY experts if necessary and their GP will be
informed.”
Those attending the
clinic will not need to be referred by a doctor. They will be able
to apply for testing through Mrs Gard, fill in the necessary paperwork and
pay £35 – a charge heavily subsided by CRY.
“We have taken testing
equipment to various venues in Tendring in the past but this will provide
a base in a professional environment,” she added.
Mrs Gard said the charity
had received a great deal of support from Walton GP Jonathon Geldard,
Clacton MP Ivan Henderson and staff at the hospital to get the scheme off
the ground.
The clinic is one of only
two of its kind in the country.
Mrs Gard said that
Cardiac Risk in the Young Screening Bill – put forward by Stockton South
MP Dari Taylor – gets its second reading on March 12.
If it became law it could help save many lives.
More
details about screening at Colchester General Hospital should contact Mrs
Gard on 01255 676865 after March 1.
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