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Press releases
Lifeblood participates in ParliamentaryDinner about Thrombosis
Parliamentarians from every nation in the
UK join the campaign to fight VTE
Release date: 3 November 2005
Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity has taken its campaign to prevent deaths from venous thromboembolsim (VTE) in our nation's hospitals to Parliament with a special dinner in the House of Commons. The meal, hosted by John Smith MP (Labour, Vale of Glamorgan) brought together leading experts from the fields of medical research into thrombosis, front line expertise, interested parties from industry and four leading Parliamentarians to discuss how to prevent deaths from thrombosis.
Dr Beverley Hunt, Lifeblood's medical director, and Dr Trevor Baglin, a consultant at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, attended on behalf of the charity, to present the views of patients and medical experts on why Parliamentarians should be taking an interest in fighting thrombosis.
Four leading Parliamentarians attended the dinner - each coming from a different part of the United Kingdom: Dr Alistair McDonnell MP (SDLP, South Belfast), Julia Goldsworthy (Lib Dem, Falmouth & Camborne) and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour Peer representing Scotland). John Smith MP, acting as host, represented Wales.
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock speaking after the dinner said: "It is alarming that an estimated 25,000 people a year die from thrombosis in our nation's hospitals. I welcome the focus of the Government in responding positively to the recommendations of the Health Select Committee. The challenge now is to make sure the good intentions contained in the Government's response are implemented where it counts - in our hospitals.
I welcome the work of Lifeblood in bringing this to the attention of Parliamentarians and am happy to support this campaign."
John Smith MP, a long standing champion of thrombosis
in Parliament is also Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Thrombosis,
a cross-party grouping of MPs and Peers interested in raising the alarming
issues of Thrombosis. He is a long term supporter of Lifeblood and helped
raise awareness of VTE during last year's National Thrombosis Week.
ENDS
Explanatory terms:
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – development of a blood clot (thrombus)
in the leg.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) – a term that encompasses deep vein
thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Media contact
Further information from Jacqui Marr on 01406
381017 or email information@thrombosis-charity.org.uk
Copyright
© Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity 2003-2006. A
company limited by guarantee. Registered Company No: 4354472.
Registered Charity No: 1090540
