Simon Wright MP - Norwich MP helping to mend Broken Hearts
Simon Wright, Member of Parliament for Norwich South has attended a summit in Parliament with leading heart charities to discuss how care can be improved for the hundreds of thousands of people in the UK who are living with heart conditions they were born with.
Congenital heart disease affects 1 in every 133 children. It is the most common birth defect affecting around 5000 babies each and every year in the UK. Many born with heart conditions will require major surgery, often at a young age, and all will require ongoing support and specialist care.
Mr Wright said: “Those born with heart conditions should expect to receive the very best treatment, as well as joined-up care and support throughout their life. There are around 1000 families in Norwich who are affected by congenital heart disease.
“I was delighted to meet Molly Rumble, a teenager born with a serious heart condition, in Parliament. Molly has had to have major surgery and ongoing treatment, and she is determined to live her life to the full. We must ensure that people like Molly get the support and services to achieve their ambitions.”
Anne Keatley-Clarke Chief Executive of the Children’s Heart Federation said. “It’s great to have the support of MPs like Simon Wright. It’s important that politicians, medical professionals, parents and charities work together. This condition is rare but still affects many thousands of children, it’s vital that there is the necessary joined-up care, high quality services and a focus on greater awareness and early detection which will help to ensure that we get the best possible outcomes for children and families”.
Michael Cumper, Chair of the Somerville Foundation, the organisation supporting adults with CHD said: “Due to advances in medical treatment there are now even more adult patients that children living with CHD for the very first time. This is really something to celebrate, but also poses a whole new set of challenges. CHD is now a long-term condition and because of this it requires life-long care and support”.
