Hyslop Welcomes National Defibrillator Network
Local Constituency MSP has welcomed the announcement of a new National Defibrillator Network and is encouraging constituents to engage with the British Heart Foundation and help with mapping where in West Lothian defibrillator machines can be found and accessed.
Fiona Commented;
“The announcement of a new National Defibrillator Network is an important step towards ensuring ambulance services have access to this life saving machine and can direct a member of the public to where it is in the event of an emergency.
“I am aware that here is already a defibrillator inside a phone box at the cross in Whitburn, as many local residents may also be aware. However, there will be many, many more in each of our towns and villages and so I would urge owners and guardians of defibrillators to register them with the Scottish Ambulance Service to maximise the chance of survival should anyone suddenly need emergency treatment outside of hospital.”
David McColgan, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager, BHF Scotland added;
“We know that defibrillators play a crucial step in the chain of survival and when used alongside bystander CPR a person’s chance of survival increases greatly.
“Mapping these lifesaving machines will enable Ambulance call handlers to direct bystanders to the nearest device when appropriate. If someone is a guardian of or knows of a public access defibrillator in their area it can be registered through the Scottish Ambulance Service website and you can help play a part in this lifesaving project.”
For more information go to https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/defibrillators/national-defibrillator-network
ENDS
Notes to editor:
There are an estimated 100,000 defibrillators across the UK. But despite their widespread availability, the majority of these are not known to the ambulance services and, sadly, only 2% of people suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) receive defibrillation from a bystander.
The National Defibrillator Network (NDN) is being developed over the next 12 months in partnership with the NHS and ambulance services across the UK. This will identify and map the location of defibrillators (both public and restricted access) across the UK and make this information available so that 999 call operators can direct bystanders in an emergency to the nearest defibrillator.