Chamber
Plenary, 01 Oct 2008
01 Oct 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Action on Thrombosis
I am just about to deal with that issue. We agree that high-risk groups should be tested, and we are clear that the adult relatives of someone with factor V Leiden should be offered genetic testing and be given suitable advice in the light of the results. Testing would apply above all to people with the genetic abnormality who might be considering going on the combined oral contraceptive pill. The pill carries an increased risk of VTE for all women but, in women who carry the factor V Leiden gene, that risk is increased by a factor of three. Although that is a different process from population screening, it means that those who are most at risk should be picked up.
Attempts have been made to draw unfavourable comparisons between our attitude to thrombophilia screening and the programme that we introduced recently to assess the risk of sudden cardiac death in young athletes taking part in competitive sport. I emphasise that those are two very different issues. The cardiac assessment of young athletes is a pilot programme that is designed to contribute to the evidence base for another issue that the national screening committee has been looking at over a number of years, which is whether to recommend a population screening programme for a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is a good example of the way in which the committee keeps under active review the issues that it is asked to consider.
I hope that it will be clear from what I have said that we have taken the ombudsman's recommendation extremely seriously. We have also made sure that the McPherson family has been fully involved in all this work. Above all, we want to make sure that people who are at most risk of VTE are identified through genetic testing.
I am happy to keep Parliament informed of the developments as we proceed.
Attempts have been made to draw unfavourable comparisons between our attitude to thrombophilia screening and the programme that we introduced recently to assess the risk of sudden cardiac death in young athletes taking part in competitive sport. I emphasise that those are two very different issues. The cardiac assessment of young athletes is a pilot programme that is designed to contribute to the evidence base for another issue that the national screening committee has been looking at over a number of years, which is whether to recommend a population screening programme for a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is a good example of the way in which the committee keeps under active review the issues that it is asked to consider.
I hope that it will be clear from what I have said that we have taken the ombudsman's recommendation extremely seriously. We have also made sure that the McPherson family has been fully involved in all this work. Above all, we want to make sure that people who are at most risk of VTE are identified through genetic testing.
I am happy to keep Parliament informed of the developments as we proceed.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S3M-2482, in the name of Trish Godman, on action on thrombosis. The debate will be c...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes with concern that, according to provisional figures from the Scottish Government, the total number of deaths from thrombosis in 200...
Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab):
Lab
Katie was 23 years old when she died of deep vein thrombosis. She had tried three times to get treatment, in two hospitals and from her general practitioner....
Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate Trish Godman on initiating this important members' debate, and I join her in extending my condolences to Katie McPherson's family. We need to ...
Trish Godman:
Lab
I hear what the member is saying, but because there are so many questions about DVT—he is asking them himself—we need money so that we can research whether t...
Ian McKee:
SNP
I agree that research should be done, and that not enough has been done into the causes of DVT and its treatment. However, I still hold that it is wrong to e...
Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con):
Con
Once again, Trish Godman has brought to members' business an important and substantial issue. Seven months ago, the issue was the human rights of wheelchair ...
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab):
Lab
I add my congratulations to those of other members on Trish Godman securing this debate and on the way in which she graphically illustrated the tragic early ...
Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab):
Lab
I, too, thank Trish Godman for securing tonight's debate. As others have acknowledged, she has made a significant contribution to raising awareness of thromb...
The Minister for Public Health (Shona Robison):
SNP
I add my thanks to Trish Godman for securing a debate on this important but complex issue. Her motion mentions the death of Katie McPherson, and the first th...
Ian McKee:
SNP
Does the minister not agree that cigarette smoking is also a lifestyle choice that leads to an increased risk of DVT?
Shona Robison:
SNP
Yes, of course. I will say a bit more about that.The other risks for DVT include pregnancy, age, underlying cancer, being on the pill or hormone replacement ...
Trish Godman:
Lab
You are saying that screening would be done in some circumstances. It seems to me that Katie McPherson's family should have some support and screening, but t...
Shona Robison:
SNP
I am just about to deal with that issue. We agree that high-risk groups should be tested, and we are clear that the adult relatives of someone with factor V ...
Meeting closed at 17:35.