Welsh Assembly Government | Life saving scheme launched across ... Page 1 of 2

Life saving scheme launched across

A new scheme that will help save the lives of people who have suffered a heart attack will be launched today (December 19, 2006) in the Senedd at 3pm by the Welsh Ambulance Service and Welsh Assembly Government.

The public access defibrillation scheme will mean defibrillators, which are vital life-saving machines for people who have suffered a heart attack, will be made available in a number of busy public places such as railway stations and shopping centres.

More than 20 sites across Wales are taking part in the scheme thanks to £80,000 funding for equipment from the Welsh Assembly Government. Additional recurrent funding of £61,000 a year is also available to fund training delivered by the Welsh Ambulance Service to staff and volunteers on the provision of basic life support and use the defibrillators.

Gary Humphries is just one of many people whose life was saved by such a scheme when he collapsed with a heart attack in Hawthorn Leisure Centre, Treforest. He said, “If it wasn’t for the quick response of trained staff and the fact that a defibrillator was available at the leisure centre, I wouldn’t be here today.”

The scheme, which is supported by the British Heart Foundation, increases the survival rates of people who have suffered a heart attack and encourages people to develop life saving skill which can be used before an ambulance arrives.

Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust Medical Director Dr Mick Colquhoun said, “Every second counts when you are trying to save someone’s life and the sooner defibrillation is performed the greater the chance of survival. The delivery of a controlled electric shock from a defibrillator within 90 seconds gives an 85-90 % chance of success. For every minute this action is delayed, the chances of successfully reviving that person diminish by 10-14 per cent

All training is delivered by the Welsh Ambulance Service and consists of a four hour programme which includes patient assessment, basic life support, recovery position and defibrillation.

A defibrillator was presented to the Assembly for use within the Senedd at today’s launch. Minister for Health and Social Services Dr Brian Gibbons said, “Coronary heart disease is one of Wales’s biggest killers, with some areas of having rates amongst the highest the UK.

Around 8,000 people in Wales die each year from coronary heart disease and reducing the number of deaths is one of the Welsh Assembly Government’s top health priorities. Now 25 sites across Wales have received essential equipment, ensuring that some of the busiest public locations will be better prepared to help people should a cardiac arrest occur.

http://new.wales.gov.uk/news/pressreleasearchive/healthandsocial... 21/12/2006 Welsh Assembly Government | Life saving scheme launched across ... Page 2 of 2

More importantly, it will mean that patients have a far better chance of survival.”

Welsh Ambulance Service Chief Executive Alan Murray said, “The Trust is grateful to the Welsh Assembly Government and the British Heart Foundation for its support which has enabled this important scheme to be launched today. The primary goal in our Time to Make a Difference modernisation plan is to deliver a clinically effective response to life-threatening emergencies and the public access defibrillation scheme plays an important role in this along with measures such as community first responders.”

British Heart Foundation Head of Emergency Life Support Katharine Peel said, “ We are delighted to fund a community defibrillation coordinator at the Welsh Ambulance Service to implement this exciting scheme in Wales, building on the success of our initial post in Wales. This new scheme will benefit from lessons learnt from the National Debrillator Programme, and from community defibrillation schemes already in place. Prompt access to these life-saving machines by a trained member of the public could make the difference between life and death”.

More than 280 people have been trained at 25 sites across Wales. The sites are:

Bridgend Railway Station Central Station Queen Street Railway Station, Cardiff Carmarthen Railway Station Railway Station Pontypridd Railway Station Railway Station Railway Station Machynlleth Railway Station Aberystwyth Railway Station Cardiff International Airport Fishguard Ferry Port Holyhead Ferry Terminal McArthur Glen Shopping Outlet, National Botanic Gardens, Carmarthen Parc Trostre, Llanelli Quadrant Shopping Centre, Swansea Queens Arcade, Cardiff Riverside, Haverfordwest St Elli Shopping Centre, Llanelli Tesco, Llanelli Wrexham Bus Station Wrexham Shopping Centre Aberavon Shopping Centre

December 19, 2006

http://new.wales.gov.uk/news/pressreleasearchive/healthandsocial... 21/12/2006