Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, is encouraging community organisations across Milton Keynes to bid for funding for a defibrillator for their area after the Government announced it was inviting new bids.
The Department of Health and Social Care is inviting interested organisations to register expressions of interest for its £1 million Community Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Fund, aimed at increasing the number of AEDs in public places where they are most needed and help save lives.
The funding is part of the Government’s drive to equip the health system with the right technology to ease pressures, reduce backlogs and cut waiting lists, and to improve public access to care when they need it.
As part of the grant award, applicants will be asked to demonstrate that defibrillators will be placed in areas where they are most needed, such as places with high footfall, vulnerable people, rural areas, or due to the nature of activity at the site.
Examples could include town halls, community centres, local shops, post offices and local parks, to ensure that defibrillators are evenly spread throughout communities and easily accessible if someone is experiencing an unexpected cardiac arrest.
An estimated 1,000 new defibrillators are to be provided by the fund, with the potential for this to double as successful applicants will be asked to match the funding they receive partially or fully.
Organisations who submit an expression of interest will be notified once grant applications open to the Department of Health and Social Care’s £1m Community AED Fund.
You can submit an expression of interest here.
Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, commented: "I would strongly encourage community organisations across Milton Keynes, and beyond, to look at the Community Automated External Defibrillators Fund and see whether it would be suitable in their area as these are truly life saving devices.
"Obviously we hope no defibrillator purchased with support from this fund will ever have to be used in Milton Keynes, but the more we have across the constituency the better chance we have of saving a life if they are needed."
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, said: “We know, through inspiring stories of ordinary people, being kept alive thanks to the swift use of a defibrillator in public, that these extraordinary devices must be accessible to all.
“I urge any organisation that may benefit from a defibrillator – whether you’re a sports club, local theatre or community hall – to register your interest for this fund so that we can get more of this life-saving technology placed around England.”
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director for NHS England, added: “When someone goes into cardiac arrest it’s crucial that they are given effective CPR and quick defibrillation to restart their heart.
"This new fund is a great opportunity for grassroots organisations to ensure that their community has access to lifesaving equipment in their moment of need.
"As the NHS turns 75, we will continue to adopt new technology and promote access to innovations, such as Automated External Defibrillator, which can improve care and treatment for patients and help save lives.”