Doctors and nurses at Leicester's Hospitals are hosting a conference for healthcare professionals from across the UK on Monday 4 November in partnership with the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust to raise awareness of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) in teenagers and young adults.

The conference will be launched by ex-rugby international and Patron of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, Martin Johnson. It follows the first ever SADS Awareness Week (30 September – 4 October), organised by the Memorial Trust to mark the anniversary of Joe's death.

Joe died suddenly last October while out jogging aged 14-years-old, having previously shown no signs of ill health. Twelve people under the age of 35 die every week in the UK in similar circumstances.

Steve Humphries, who created the Memorial Trust in his son's memory, explains: "Many deaths like Joe's could be prevented with better awareness among healthcare staff and more CPR training for the public. We are sadly one of the many families who have lost someone to SADS. We want to raise awareness and improve research, as well as encourage people to and learn these life-saving first aid skills."

Dr Ffion Davies, consultant in emergency medicine & paediatric lead for Leicester's Hospitals, said:"Many people assume that nothing can be done to prevent deaths cause by SADS but this isn't true. Some people show warning signs and with greater awareness, they would be more likely to talk to their parents or consult their GP.

"Even with no warning, if CPR is started within a minute of collapse and electrical defibrillation of the heart within eight minutes, the chances of survival are greatly improved."

In countries such as America and Italy, early detection of heart conditions, combined with good CPR skills among the general public and defibrillator machines located in public areas, has led to a dramatically reduction in death rates.

Ffion added: "In partnership with the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, we are hoping to achieve the same success in reducing these tragic deaths across Leicestershire and the rest of the UK."

If you would like further information about the upcoming SADS conference, hosted at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester (LE3 9QP) between 9.30 – 4.00pm, please email conference manager, sam.thurlow@uhl-tr.nhs.uk.

Read more at Leicester Mercury