Council staff and visitors to benefit from life-saving machines
Archived press release
Date Published: 11/12/09
Andrew Grant, Chief Executive of AVDC, accepts the defibrillator equipment
Cardiac arrest victims stand a much better chance of surviving in Aylesbury Vale District Council buildings thanks to three new defibrillators.
The life-saving machines, which administer a shock to restart the heart in the minutes following a cardiac arrest, have been sited at the Gateway, 66 High Street and Pembroke Road offices in Aylesbury.
AVDC has purchased two of the defibrillators in conjunction with The British Heart Foundation (BHF). The other unit has been loaned to the council by the Southern Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) as part of the Community First Responders initiative.
Around 15 first aiders from the council recently undertook defibrillator training. The training was provided by SCAS and included basic life support, CPR and use of an Automated External Defibrillator. Staff will undertake refresher training every six months.
The idea is that trained staff will be able to identify when a defibrillator is required and then administer the support to the patient until the ambulance service arrives.
Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “Council buildings are used by so many people each day it makes sense to have this equipment available along with our usual first aid kit. Defibrillators are critical to treating a cardiac arrest victim in the crucial minutes before an ambulance arrives. I would like to thank the British Heart Foundation for the grant and the South Central Ambulance Service who have given training to staff. “
Suzanne Solera, of the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to be working with Aylesbury Vale District Council to help provide vital life-saving treatment to the local community whilst an ambulance is on its way and to enhance our Community Responder scheme in the Aylesbury region. We are always looking for members of the public who are willing to volunteer some of their free time to train in basic lifesaving skills to help their community.”
For more information about becoming a Community First Responder, visit www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk or contact the SCAS Community Responder hotline on 0800 5870207.