09/11/2023
β€οΈPlease read and share this information below regarding funding for defibrillators for our local areaβ€οΈ
The BHF approached us and asked if they could share Euanβs story for a press release which has gone out todayβ€οΈ
Embargoed Thursday 9th November 2023
Scotlandβs 10 defibβ blackspots named as BHF launches free defibrillator scheme to save lives across UK
Communities across Scotland are being urged to apply for a free lifesaving defibrillator from the British Heart Foundation (BHF), supported by fundraising from BHFβs charity partner Royal Mail.
There are 220 defibrillator packages available to communities as part of the charityβs Community Defibrillator Fund.
The heart charity has said areas with greatest need will be prioritised β those with high deprivation and limited access to defibrillators.
Communities are invited to apply for their free defibrillator on the BHF website here: https://www.bhf.org.uk/defibfunding (https://www.bhf.org.uk/defibfunding)
David McColgan, Head of BHF Scotland, said: βEvery defibrillator has the power to save a life β thatβs why Iβm thrilled that weβre able to fully fund 220 of these life saving devices for communities.
βEvery second counts when someone has a cardiac arrest. Performing early CPR and having access to a defibrillator gives someone the best chance of survival.
βThere simply arenβt enough defibrillators where theyβre needed most, as research has shown that many communities are too far away from their nearest defibrillator. These devices make where you live safer, as cardiac arrests can happen to anyone, at any time. More communities will now have access to a defibrillator that can save lives.β
There are over 3100 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year in Scotland but less than one in ten people survive. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation after a cardiac arrest can reduce the chance of survival by up to 10 per cent. Quick CPR and defibrillation is vital to give someone the best chance of survival β and can more than double the chances of survival in some cases.
The BHF wants everyone to have the best chance of survival from a cardiac arrest, no matter where you live.
There are over 79,000 defibrillators (7200 in Scotland) registered on The Circuit: the national defibrillator network, but they are not evenly distributed. Recent research supported by the BHF found that people living in the most deprived areas of Scotland are on average 317 metres further away from their nearest 24/7 defibrillator than those in the least deprived areas, respectively. [1] The charity fears that this unequal access has created defibrillator black spots which put lives at risk.
Thatβs why the BHF, with support from their charity partner Royal Mail, hope the programme will help reduce these defibrillator black spots and improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Local areas awarded one of these defibrillators will be provided with a defibrillator and cabinet, and installation costs will be covered where required. Communities awarded a defibrillator can order future replacement parts free of charge when they expire or are used in a rescue.
The charity will ensure that each defibrillator will also be registered on The Circuit: the national defibrillator network, so ambulance services can direct bystanders to the defibrillator in the event of a cardiac arrest.
The family of Euan Anderson, 25, who died while playing football in Grangemouth last year, are backing calls for more defibrillators across Scotland.
Euanβs sister, Emily Thomson, said: βWe were already aware that there was a shortage of defibrillators in the Grangemouth area and itβs vital that communities have equal access to these life saving devices.β
Quantity surveyor Euan was a keen footballer, but he was unaware he had the rare genetic heart condition ARVC β arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
He collapsed during a five-a-side football game with friends at Galaxy Sports Little Kerse near Grangemouth in July 2022 and despite valiant efforts of those present he died at the scene.
Emily added: βIn Euanβs case, there was a defibrillator on the scene very quickly, but he couldnβt be saved. But if access to one might help save someone else in the future, then Iβd urge community groups to apply.β
Communities are invited to apply for their free defibrillator on the BHF website here: https://www.bhf.org.uk/defibfunding (https://www.bhf.org.uk/defibfunding)
Greg Sage, Deputy Director Corporate Affairs & ESG at Royal Mail, said: βWe are very proud that the fundraising efforts of our colleagues across the country are supporting this initiative to enable areas with the greatest need access to life-saving equipment. Royal Mail is supporting the scheme by aiming to fund 420 defibrillators across four years of the partnership.β
Dr Chris Wilkinson, Senior Lecturer in Cardiology at Hull York Medical School, and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist, who led the research using BHF Circuit data, said: βIβm delighted to see this programme launch that gives communities the chance to receive a free defibrillator. We recently highlighted just how far every postcode is in Great Britain from its nearest defibrillator, and how deprivation levels affect the publicβs access. Itβs great to see the BHF leading the way in providing defibrillators to so many communities.β
The BHF has a long history of funding public access defibrillators for communities: the heart charityβs Nation of Lifesavers scheme has helped install nearly 3,500 devices in the UK.
The BHF says they're particularly eager to receive applications from community groups in the areas identified as having defibrillator black spots, based on available data on defibrillator locations from The Circuit: the national defibrillator network.
Scotland 10 blackspots (with round trip walking time to nearest defibrillator from centre postcode)
1. Grangemouth, near Falkirk 8 mins
2. Drumchapel, Glasgow 14 mins
3. Kirkcaldy, Fife 15 minsοΏ½4. Wick, Caithness 20 minsοΏ½5. Kilwinning, North Ayrshire 14 minsοΏ½6. Easterhouse, Glasgow 8 minsοΏ½7. Springburn, Glasgow 8 minsοΏ½8. Paisley, Renfrewshire 6 minsοΏ½9. Alloa, Clackmannanshire 10 minsοΏ½10. Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway 26 mins
