Today is International Restart a Heart Day. To mark the day the Trust can reveal it has installed public access defibrillators (PADs) at the entrances of its community hospitals.
By doing this we are helping to improve access to lifesaving equipment across Cornwall.
The PADs have been donated and installed by the Front Line Emergency Equipment Trust (FLEET) and Duchy Defib. These are local charities. Their support means that members of the public can access a PAD quickly in the event of a cardiac arrest.
Restart a Heart (RSAH) is an annual initiative led by Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) each October. It is aimed at increasing survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest through greater public awareness, CPR education and access to lifesaving interventions.
Every year, thousands of people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK. Early recognition, prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and rapid defibrillation can significantly improve a person’s chances of survival.
The installation of these publicly accessible defibrillators is a crucial step in strengthening the chain of survival within Cornwall’s communities.
The Trust is using International Restart a Heart Day as an opportunity to encourage everyone to learn CPR and familiarise themselves with the location of their nearest defibrillator.
Kate Hawkins is Trust’s resuscitation lead:
“We are pleased to celebrate International Restart a Heart Day by making defibrillators more readily available to the communities we serve. We are grateful to FLEET and Duchy Defib for their generosity and commitment to improving public access to lifesaving equipment. Together, we can help more people recognise cardiac arrest, start CPR quickly and potentially save lives. The Trust would also like to thank both charities for their continued support in helping make Cornwall a safer place for residents and visitors alike.”
