York College becomes first in UK to offer free heart screening to athletes
York College has become the first in the UK to offer fully funded heart screening to its student athletes (Image: York College & University Centre)
A college has become the first in the UK to offer fully funded heart screening to its student athletes.
York College launched the programme for its sports teams and elite athletes ahead of the 2026/27 academic year, following a partnership with Thirsk-based CardioLogic Diagnostics.
The screenings use ECG technology from QT Medical, which can be administered by trained college staff using a pre-positioned electrode patch, removing the need for a medical professional on site.
Emma Palmer, sport progress coach at York College, said: "The training was really easy.
"The device is so small and really portable, and applying the patch and making the measurements is straightforward, too.
"As a trained member of staff on-site, it’s great that I’m able to do the screening as and when.
"We’re not having to wait for appointments or rely on other people’s schedules.
"I also know the students and, whilst it's not an invasive process, it’s really helpful for them to have a familiar face administering it."
The scheme covers students on the college’s football, rugby league, basketball, and netball teams, as well as those on the government’s Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme.
Some students were tested before the start of the new academic year in September.
Faye Singleton, director of sales and marketing at CardioLogic Diagnostics and a York City Women footballer, said: "I am over the moon that we've got the first educational organisation signed up to offer ECG testing.
"Prior to the college signing up, we've been working with sports clubs and county football associations but, to bring it into an educational setting where students don't get access, it’s been fantastic to open those doors.
"We're now hoping that other schools, colleges, and universities will follow suit.
"We can screen anyone over the age of 12, so we are just trying to cast the net wide and get as many young people screened as possible.
"Then, if we do find something that's underlying, it can hopefully be treated before a tragedy might occur, because we follow up on any abnormalities and help provide support for the next steps."
The importance of heart screening has been brought into focus by high-profile incidents, including the recent death of former York City footballer Quevin Castro, who collapsed during a match in Portugal aged just 25.
Statistics show that around 12 young people aged 14-35 die each week in the UK from sudden cardiac death, and one in 260 academy-level footballers have a potentially life-threatening heart condition.
Jaden Ncube, a student at York College, said: "Other colleges and football teams I have played for haven’t offered this, so it’s a positive thing and also helps us understand our health better."