Cardiac Screening at Old Swinford Hospital

Published on isbi School News dated Tuesday 1st of March 2011

Around 120 students over the age of 15 took part in a screening programme for cardiac abnormalities at Old Swinford Hospital school, Stourbridge on 1st March 2011.

The testing programme was carried out by CRY Cardiac Risk in the Young, a registered charity raising awareness of undetected cardiac abnormalities in young, apparently healthy individuals. The test held in the Medical Centre, involved an electrocardiogram (ECG) which is a simple non invasive and painless test that examines the electrical activity in the heart and only takes about 5-10 minutes.

Every week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people - that is, aged 35 and under - die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition

Old Swinford Hospital has been promoting awareness and fundraising for CRY after the tragic death of Zo� Teale, the 23 year old daughter of Catering Manager Pete Teale. Since her death in 2009, Pete has already raised £32,000 towards a target of £50,000, and hopes to raise awareness for this condition so that other parents don't have to suffer such a tragic loss.

Mr Paul Goode, Director of Boarding at Old Swinford Hospital said 'Old Swinford Hospital became involved with CRY through a tragedy and although we cannot change the past, we can strive to change the future by encouraging our students to have this simple test.'

After the screening, every student's ECG/ECHO, completed Health Questionnaire and Consent Form were forwarded to CRY's expert Cardiologists for analysis. Any student who is considered to have an abnormal ECG will be followed-up and invited to have a full cardiac evaluation.


Pic shows: Year 13 student Max Whiteside taking part in the screening programme, supported by Catering Manager Pete Teale.