To establish referral pathways for families after a young sudden death to ensure they are referred to a heart rhythm specialist after a young sudden cardiac death. Established in NHS practice in 2008 in the National Service Framework Chapter 8.
House of Commons – 10th March 2004
Dari Taylor MP presented the Cardiac Risk in the Young Screening Bill to the House of Commons. Read the full debate.
The debate culminated in the announcement by the Public Health Secretary Melanie Johnson of the formation of an expert group on arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death that would include CRY in the consultation process for the new chapter to go in the National Service Framework.
Dari Taylor MP: “Almost 100 Members of Parliament from nearly all political parties offered their support. A number of these were MPs already involved with CRY and my parliamentary colleagues. However, a substantial majority were MPs who had agreed to support my Bill because they had been asked to do so by their constituents – invariably members of CRY.”
September 2004
20 CRY delegates were invited to attend the Department of Health’s consultation meeting for the new NSF chapter.
March 2005
Dari Taylor’s Cardiac Risk in the Young (Screening) Private Member’s Bill resulted in the new Chapter 8 in the National Service Framework on Arrhythmias and Sudden Death, which was announced by the Secretary of State for Health John Reid on March 4 2005 at the Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative Conference in Birmingham.
CRY had four representatives on the sub-groups during the consultation period for the new chapter and, most crucially, was invited onto the New Implementation Board. This ensured that that in the vital discussion period when funds were allocated and targets set – young sudden cardiac death had a significant profile.
CRY Patron Professor Bill McKenna said at the time: “The consultation process brought together all the elements involved including coroners, geneticists, expert clinics, and support groups. It has been very valuable and should result in a dramatic improvement in the prevention of tragedies, and the care and management of those affected. All involved learned; preconceptions were broken down; important contributions made. It has realistic and positive potential and, if recommendations were implemented, within 3 to 5 years we will see significant results.”
