Cardiac safety on national agenda

A CHARITY, set-up in memory of a Rothley teenager, has helped to put cardiac safety on the national sports agenda.

The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT), which was set up in memory of 14-year-old Joe Humphries who died from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, submitted information to The independent Duty of Care in Sport review.

The review, which was led by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, advocates more training and better awareness of cardiac health to help protect people who play sport.

The report, which was commissioned by the Government, has been welcomed by the JHMT as it highlights the need for a greater all-round knowledge about heart conditions and symptoms that could lead to sudden cardiac arrest in sport.

It calls for more information and awareness about cardiac screening and for more club members to have basic handson CPR training and access to a defibrillator.

To help accelerate this, the report says all new sports facilities funded by Government grants should include a defibrillator when they are built.

Chair of the JHMT, Steve Humphries, said: “We were delighted to have an input into this report about the importance of cardiac safety for all young people who play sport – from elite athletes to firsttime participants, whether on or off the field.”

Baroness Tanni-Grey Thomson said: “I would like to thank the Trust for the information that they submitted to the review.

“Sport is a wonderful thing to be involved in, but it’s important to ensure all people play in the safest possible environment.”

The full report can be found at: www.gov.uk/ government/ publications/ duty-of- care- insport-review