MEDIA RELEASE
Embargoed until 00.01 on
Thursday 3 April, 2014
Launch of national campaign to
stop blood clots and save lives
A new national campaign to help prevent patients dying from blood clots while in
hospital is being launched today (Thursday 3 April, 2014).
‘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.
The campaign has been developed by the 1000 Lives Improvement service in Public
Health Wales and is supported by Lifeblood, the thrombosis charity.
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.
“Most people associate developing a thrombosis with flying. However, two thirds of
blood clots occur in hospital or in the 90 days following discharge.
Media Release: ‘Ask about Clots’ - Campaign Launch, 3 April 2014
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“That’s why it’s so important for patients in hospital to ask for an assessment for
blood clots and for their families to also be aware to ask on their behalf if
necessary.
“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.”
Venous thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel which
restricts blood flow and can become fatal if it breaks off and enters the lungs.
Everyone is at risk of developing a clot – but there are particular groups at greater
risk. These are individuals who are:
 Aged over 60
 Overweight
 Receiving treatment for cancer
 Pregnant
 Undergoing serious surgery
 Patients with ongoing medical conditions
A person is ten times more at risk of developing a blood clot when being treated
for a serious illness in hospital. However, around 70 per cent of cases could be
avoided if preventative measures were put in place.
The Ask about Clots campaign is aiming to educate patients about their risk and
encourage them to play an active part in reducing thrombosis.
Hospitals are already encouraged to use a special checklist to evaluate a patient’s
risk of developing a blood clot. Simple treatments including wearing leg stockings,
taking small doses of medication that thin the blood and keeping mobile can
prevent clots safely and effectively.
Dr Mark Drakeford AM, Minister for Health and Social Services, who is backing the
campaign which is launched at the Senedd today, said: “We need to highlight the
very real danger of thrombosis, which is why the Ask about Clots campaign is very
important.
“It 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.”
Media Release: ‘Ask about Clots’ - Campaign Launch, 3 April 2014
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Campaign organisers will be working with NHS Wales health boards and trusts and
third sector organisations to raise awareness of the issue and highlight the danger
of thrombosis with the public.
A website has also been launched – www.askaboutclots.co.uk – which will provide
further information and case studies to encourage individuals to contact their
healthcare professionals if they have any concerns.
Patient Case Study: “If I had known what I know now, and forced the issue for
this to be checked, she would still be with us.”
Michelle Martin (43) from Wrexham is acutely aware of just how vital it is to
recognise the signs of thrombosis and get treatment quickly.
In 2010, her daughter Claire died from a pulmonary embolism caused by a blood
clot entering her lungs. She was aged just 22.
Claire had initially been treated for flu-like symptoms and given antibiotics.
However, she started to develop problems breathing and rang Michelle to take her
to the hospital to get checked out.
She was told that her lungs were a little inflamed and to go home and take some
painkillers. Just days later, Claire died from a blood clot which had entered her
lungs.
“Despite going through her symptoms, a clot was never mentioned once,” said
Michelle. “If I had known what I know now and forced the issue for this to be
checked, she would still be with us.”
Michelle now works with Lifeblood, the national thrombosis charity, to raise
awareness. She is backing the ‘Ask about Clots’ campaign to raise awareness of
what she calls a ‘silent killer’.
“At the time of Claire’s death, I knew hardly anything about clots and just
associated it with flying or people aged over 40,” she said.
“Now I know that it’s vital to get checked out. I would encourage everyone to
spread the word about the Ask about Clots campaign and prevent another family
going through what we had to go through. It really could save your life”
ENDS
Media Release: ‘Ask about Clots’ - Campaign Launch, 3 April 2014
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For all media enquiries, please contact Sara Robinson or Rebecca Goodhand on
(029) 2102 3190 or email Rebecca@cakecommunications.co.uk
Photos and media interviews with Dr Simon Noble and Michelle Martin are
available on request.
Online digital content is also available: Links to video interviews with Simon
and Michelle, along with a presentation providing more information about Ask
about Clots, is available on request.
Notes to Editor

The Ask about Clots website can be found at www.askaboutclots.co.uk and
the campaign will be using the hash tag: #askaboutclots

* Beaufort Research Ltd interviewed a representative sample of 1,000 adults
across Wales in March 2014 regarding perceptions around the danger of
clots.

1000 Lives Improvement is part of Public Health Wales, supporting
organisations and individuals in NHS Wales to deliver improved health,
healthcare outcomes and user experience. www.1000livesplus.wales.nhs.uk

Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity aims to pursue the advancement of
medical science in relation to the diagnosis, causes, prevention, alleviation,
management and cure of thrombosis. www.thrombosis-charity.org.uk
Media Release: ‘Ask about Clots’ - Campaign Launch, 3 April 2014
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