Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, has supported the Restart A Heart campaign to raise awareness of community defibrillators across his constituency.
A cardiac arrest is the ultimate medical emergency – where the heart suddenly stops beating. Early defibrillation within 3–5 min of collapse can increase survival rates by up to 50-70%.
Restart A Heart (RSAH), a Resuscitation Council UK initiative, starts on 16 October and continues throughout the month. This year the campaign is focussing on defibrillation awareness and access to this lifesaving device.
Recent data reveals that 61% of people aren’t confident enough to us a defibrillator, and Ben is keen to support the campaign by sharing the location of defibrillators across Milton Keynes North: https://www.defibfinder.uk/
Ben Everitt MP said: "Public access defibrillators are designed to be used by the public and when you switch on the defibrillator it will provide clear instructions and talk you through what you need to do.
"Use of a defibrillator as soon as possible after a cardiac arrest could save a life."
Organisations across England are also being invited to bid for a share of £1 million of Government funding to buy life-saving defibrillators for community spaces like town halls, local parks or post offices.
The DHSC Community Automated External Defibrillator (CAED) Fund will support provision of 2000 AEDs. These will be distributed across England during 2023-2024, supporting any organisation based in England that is not eligible for the current Department of Education AED programme.
You can apply here: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/dhsc-community-automated-external-defibrillator-aed-fund-1