York College becomes UK's first to offer ECG tests to sports students
Innovative technology used for heart screenings at York College
York College has become the UK’s first educational organisation to offer fully-funded ECG heart screening tests to its sports team students and elite athletes, utilising new technology.
The tests, provided by Thirsk-based company CardioLogic Diagnostics, are available to all members of York College's football, rugby league, basketball, and netball teams ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Additionally, students involved with the Government’s Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme, competing in elite-level sport outside college, are eligible.
Some students have already undergone testing prior to next month’s start of the academic year.
The importance of heart screening among athletes was highlighted when former York City footballer Quevin Castro tragically lost his life after collapsing during a game in Portugal at the weekend.
Additionally, Denmark international footballer Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch this June, emphasising the need for early detection of cardiac conditions.
Statistics further underscore this need: approximately 12 young people aged 14-35 die every week in the UK from sudden cardiac death.
Moreover, 1 in 260 Academy level footballers are found to have a potentially life-threatening heart condition requiring care or treatment.
QT Medical's technology employs a pre-positioned electrode patch, allowing college staff to administer it, with results analysed remotely by UK cardiologists.
York College Sport Progress Coach Emma Palmer and Faye Singleton, Director of Sales & Marketing at CardioLogic Diagnostics, expressed enthusiasm over York College becoming the first educational institution to offer the tests.
York City Women footballer Faye Singleton said, “I am over the moon that we've got the first educational organisation signed up to offer ECG testing…to bring it into an educational setting where students don't get access, it’s been fantastic to open those doors.”
She added, “We're now hoping that other schools, colleges and universities will follow suit…we are just trying to cast the net wide and get as many young people screened as possible.”
York City Women footballer Megan Atkins, who underwent the test, shared her positive experience, saying, “It was really good, non-invasive and quite quick as well.”
Riley Nolson, a College basketball player, noted, “It was a really simple procedure and just involved putting a few patches on my skin.”
Jaden Ncube, another student, pointed out, “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.”
Emma Palmer, trained to administer the scans, highlighted the ease of the process: “The training was really easy. The device is so small and really portable and applying the patch and making the measurements is straightforward, too.”
Stu Horsfield, York College Sports Development Centre Coordinator, emphasised, “We felt this was really important as a college, as we have a lot of student athletes and talented athletes here and it's about giving them peace of mind.”