DUP MLA Deborah Erskine from Fermanagh has spoken about her daughter Olivia's diagnosis with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Olivia was born eight weeks early last September and required immediate care in neonatal intensive care.

Within her first week, medical staff used a defibrillator on Olivia 13 times to address her fast heart rhythm. The condition caused her heart to beat as fast as 270 beats per minute. She was also diagnosed with atrial flutter.

Olivia received treatment at the Royal Victoria Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and later at Clark Clinic in the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children.

Erskine noted that a pregnancy scan at 29 weeks first detected the heart issue, leading to close monitoring. After diagnosis, her family received information from the British Heart Foundation on SVT management.

Erskine stated that the condition will not be lifelong for Olivia, who is now doing well. She called for ongoing support and funding for cardiovascular research to improve future treatments.