Scunthorpe couple say calls for cardiac screening for all young people could be moving a step closer

A couple from Scunthorpe whose son died from undiagnosed heart conditions are hopeful the Government will now look to provide cardiac screening for all young people.

It follows meeting with the Public Health Minister this week.

Gill and Steve Ayling's 31-year-old son Nathan died in 2019.

Since then they have been raising money to providing screenings for young people with the help of the CRY charity - Gill tells us lives have been saved:

"In the North Lincolnshire area we've provided cardiac screenings for the last 18 months.

"We've screened 405 young people and 32 of these have been sent for further investigation"

Gill tells us the meeting with the Minister was positive but a sad reminder of why they are pushing for action:

"In 2019 we lost our son Nathan who was aged 31. A fit and healthy young man he died from undiagnosed heart conditions".

Nathan's Dad Steve tells us every week in the UK 12 fit and healthy young people people die of undiagnosed heart conditions:

"It's estimated around 80% of these young people can be saved through cardiac screening. We raised that with the minister. he was very responsive".

Dr Steven Cox is CEO of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY):

"Every week in the UK 12 fit and healthy young people die suddenly from a cardiac condition so that's why it's really important that more is done to prevent theses tragedies.

"CRY tries to support those families affected and also tries to prevent the tragedy.

"We do this through raising awareness and funding screening, and funding research into the causes and prevention of a diagnosis of cardiac conditions."

Steve says following the meeting Minister Andrew Gwynne is now looking in the data behind the need for screening:

"The Minister has promised he will take some action after the meeting. He has ordered a number of internal investigations to be undertaken.

"He wants Steven Cox to provide some data from CRY and he wants Professor Mary Sheppard to provide some data from her records.

""He has said once he is in receipt of these items of data, and other feedback - He hopes that he can build something within the 10 year Government strategy which will help move forward with the cardiac screening which is very positive indeed so we are very happy with that".

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