Huppert supports campaign to save lives (Cambridge Liberal Democrats)

Cambridge Liberal Democrats <camlibdems@gmail.com>

Huppert supports campaign to save lives

June 24, 2010 11:21 AM

A campaign to help raise awareness of a killer condition contracted in hospital has been backed by Cambridge MP Julian Huppert.

Julian has given his support to raise awareness of hospital acquired thrombosis which claims the lives of around 25,000 people each year.

The Stop the Clot initiative, run by the charity Lifeblood, is a week-long campaign to improve understanding about the risks of developing deep vein thrombosis in hospital.

At a meeting in Westminster, Julian was briefed by the team at Lifeblood about the risks of developing thrombosis.

A deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in the veins of the lower body, which can form when someone is immobile and unwell. Part or all the clot can detach and travel through the blood system where it can block the arteries supplying the lungs - a pulmonary embolism - which can be fatal.

Thrombosis is the immediate cause of death in 10 per cent of all patients who die in hospital, although most blood clots show up after the patient has left hospital.

Julian said: "This is an entirely preventable illness, yet 500 people die each week in hospitals across the country from this condition.

"It is crucial that we do everything we can to raise awareness of the dangers of developing blood clots and make sure hospital staff assess the risks."

National Thrombosis Week coincided with the publication of a poll highlighting poor public understanding about the condition. More than half of people questioned said they thought the greatest risk of developing thrombosis was on a long haul flight, while twice as many people thought there was a greater risk of contracting MRSA in hospital than deep vein thrombosis.

Professor Beverley Hunt, Director of Lifeblood and leading haematologist, said: "We are delighted that Julian Huppert is supporting National Thrombosis Week 2010.

"Awareness of deep vein thrombosis is patchy amongst both the public and the UK's medical community about the dangers of the condition and how to spot the early signs of the condition."