NATIONAL THROMBOSIS WEEK 2006

That this House congratulates Lifeblood, the thrombosis charity, for organising its second annual National Thrombosis Week from 8th to 14th May with a focus on healthy legs; recognises that many thousands of people die each year from venous thromboembolism (VTE) (blood clots) contracted in hospital; notes that many of these deaths are preventable, with safe, cost-effective methods of preventing venous thrombosis; is concerned that these are not being administered as widely as they should; calls on the Government to ensure that all patients, both medical and surgical, who are admitted to hospital undergo a risk assessment for venous thrombosis; recommends that thrombosis committees be established in each hospital to promote best practice and to be a source of education and training for all staff; and further recommends that the Healthcare Commission undertake, as part of its audit process, an investigation into the availability and use of VTE prevention protocols in each hospital as a matter of urgency to halt the alarming number of avoidable deaths.