June 2025 - Haemochromatosis Adjournment Debate

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 the body to normal levels. I have a bit of knowledge of the bloodletting side of the business, because for the past 17 years, I have been attending the Knutsford ward at the Royal London hospital on a regular basis for venesection.

Untreated haemochromatosis can lead to several common conditions that we might describe as Scottish diseases of ill health: cirrhosis of the liver, heart disease, arthritis and so on. Generally haemochromatosis is asymptomatic, and without a test to measure for ferritin levels, it can be easily missed.

On the 25th June 2025 I had an adjournment debate in the House of Commons calling for widespread gene testing in Na h-Eileanan an Iar for Haemochromatosis. I believe that the bill for gene testing in the Western Isles should be part of the community payback for the large-scale wind farm developments that are planned for the islands.

You can watch the debate here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/0acb1fed-5d28-4b99-a861-c7880ef5bf6a?in=19:03:59

There is a transcript of the debate here: Haemochromatosis Screening - Hansard - UK Parliament