Electrocardiogram Screening

Lord Polak Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

There are differences between different bodies as to the exact number, but every death of a young person from sudden cardiac death is clearly a tragedy which takes them too early. The Government are supporting greater understanding in this area by listening to the UK National Screening Committee when it comes up with its suggestions, and ensuring that, through bodies such as Sport England, which has guidance for sports clubs, and through funding for defibrillators, there is greater awareness of the risks of this.

[Lord Polak (Con)]

My Lords, “If there is anything I can do to save anyone else’s life, I really want to fight for that”—those are the brave words of Hilary Nicholls just weeks after her daughter, Clarissa, passed away aged 20. Hilary is in the Chamber today. Together with Hilary, Ambassador Lambertini of Italy and I put on a symposium for Italian and UK cardiologists on 28 January, where we learned that, since the introduction in 1982 of Italy’s pre-participation screening programme of anyone engaged in organised sport, there has been a reduction of 89% in sudden cardiac arrests. I ask the Minister whether, irrespective of screening committees, she will undertake to sit with the Italian Sports Minister and learn what they have done to implement a similar programme of testing to help avoid another parent like Hilary grieving for their fit and young children.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I pay tribute to Hilary and all parents who, at the worst moment in their lives, campaign to ensure that nobody has to go through a similar situation. Obviously, I, or another more relevant Minister, would be happy to sit down with Italian counterparts to discuss what more we can do. I will say, however, that we are awaiting the findings of the UK National Screening Committee, and it is right that we go through these proper processes.