Welcome to my monthly round up of my work both in parliament and in the constituency of Na h-Eileanan an Iar. IN THE CONSTITUENCY: Haemochromatosis Events in Uist & Barra June kicked off with a series of community information events on the Viking Genes project - a lifesaving genetic screening programme run by Professor Jim Flett Wilson of Edinburgh University. TThe Viking Genes 'Hebrides Study' is highlighting the high prevalence of hereditary haemochromatosis in the Western

Haemochromatosis is a long word for too much iron in the blood. It's an inherited genetic condition, a disorder often known as the Celtic curse, because it is particularly prevalent in Celtic bloodlines and is common in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Once spotted, Haemochromatosis [HCT] is easily treated by venesection—another long word—which simply means bloodletting. About 450 ml of blood is taken off the patient at each session to chase down the iron levels in th