David Rees AM backs national campaign to stop blood clots and save lives

David Rees, Assembly Member for Aberavon, is backing a new national campaign to help prevent patients dying from blood clots while in hospital. Developed by the 1000 Lives Improvement service in Public Health Wales and supported by Lifeblood, the thrombosis charity,  ‘Ask about Clots’ is encouraging patients to ask healthcare professionals about their risk of developing a blood clot – known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – so that they can be assessed and given appropriate treatment to prevent one developing. Research has estimated that 1,250 people are at risk of death every year in Wales from blood clots that they may develop while they are in hospital.

The campaign is launched as new research reveals that 62 per cent of people in Wales believe that they are more likely to develop a thrombosis on an aeroplane than in hospital. In reality, the risk of developing a clot during time spent in hospital can be 1,000 times higher than from time spent on an aeroplane.

“The results of the survey highlight how important the Ask about Clots campaign is to raise awareness of the danger of developing a thrombosis in hospital. It’s an important message for both patients and NHS Wales staff,” says Dr Simon Noble, Medical Director for Lifeblood in Wales and a consultant in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, who has been working with the 1000 Lives Improvement service to develop the campaign. “Ask about Clots will also encourage our healthcare professionals to be more aware of the risks and ensure all patients are assessed. Thrombosis is a condition that can be prevented.”

David said: “The Ask about Clots campaign is very important and has the potential to save many lives by encouraging patients and their families to talk to doctors and health professionals. It means more people will receive the necessary treatment to prevent thrombosis.”