Parents across the UK are facing years-long waits for life-saving heart screenings for their children, as charities struggle to meet overwhelming demand. With no routine NHS ECG tests available for young people, organisations like Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) are inundated—105,000+ are currently on their waiting list.

🔹 Tom Paget, a father from West Yorkshire, travelled 90 minutes to Hull for his teens’ screenings—appointments booked out within minutes.
🔹 12 young people under 35 die weekly in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions.
🔹 While countries like Italy (with annual youth screenings) have reduced sudden cardiac deaths by 89%, the UK lacks government-backed testing.
🔹 Charities like the Dillon Quirke Foundation (founded after a 24-year-old’s tragic pitch-side death) and Clarissa’s Campaign (honoring a 20-year-old Cambridge student) are stepping in, but demand far outpaces capacity.

Experts and families are urging the government to fund mandatory screenings, especially for young athletes.

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