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An independent pharmacy in West London will run cardiac screening tests on footballers at a non-league football club this month.

Puri Pharmacy, which has served its community for over four decades, will screen 40 Southall FC players and staff at Rectory Park, the headquarters of Middlesex Football Association, at 3pm on October 22. 

Rahul Puri, a pharmacist and independent prescriber at Puri Pharmacy, told Independent Community Pharmacist the initiative will “help address the practical barriers to accessing screening” for clubs outside professional football where it is a mandatory and regular protocol overseen by the Football Association.

Although cardiac screening is provided in non-league football through local pilot schemes and County FA initiatives, it is not universally available.

Cardiac screening involves a series of non-invasive tests to evaluate heart health, identify hidden risks and detect conditions before symptoms appear.

“There are established screening arrangements within professional academy football,” Puri said. “For clubs outside those pathways, the questions remain ‘where can players access screening?’ And ‘who organises it and who pays?’ The FA’s medical guidance points players towards charitable screening and self-funded services, including providers able to visit clubs.

“(Our) initiative aims to make that process more accessible locally. We are also exploring how existing club sponsors and local businesses could help cover costs, reducing reliance on club budgets or individual players paying.”

At least 12 people aged 35 and under die every week in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions, according to Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which was founded in 1995 to promote and develop heart screening programmes. The charity also said there are no prior symptoms in 80 per cent of cases of young sudden cardiac death.

“Being fit enough to play football does not rule out an underlying heart condition,” Puri said. “But how easily can players outside the elite game access cardiac screening?”

He added: “The event includes resting 12-lead ECGs, consultant reporting and guidance on further assessment where needed. We will also carry out finger-prick blood tests with our partners PocDoc.”