North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has joined forces with Medicash and Liverpool BID Company to install defibrillators across Liverpool city centre which are to be installed in key locations by the end of summer.
Through the ‘Cardi-Act’ scheme, local businesses are being offered a 50% discount if they want to install a device, which usually costs £1,200. They will also receive free training and after care support, which would normally cost over £500. The aim is to ensure that no-one is more than two minutes away from a defibrillator in Liverpool city centre. Evidence shows the chances of survival from a cardiac arrest is 80% if a device is used within that time. Without a defibrillator, the chances of survival reduce to just 2%.
BID businesses are already signing up to the scheme – with property managing firm CBRE ordering nine for their key city centre buildings – and the aim is for as many employers as possible to get involved. Liverpool city centre already has publicly accessible defibrillators in all major travel stations and shopping centres such as Cavern Walks, Metquarter, Clayton Square, Liverpool ONE and St Johns Shopping Centre.
Robert Hussey Community Resuscitation Manager at NWAS said: “Each year approximately 100,000 people die from Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the UK, many in public places so we are delighted to be involved in this life saving initiative which will significantly enhance our existing defibrillator provision within the city.”
Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, whose son David died at the age of ten in 1996 following a heart attack in his school playground, said: “Everyone needs to treat defibrillators like a first aid kit. None of us would think for a second about having a first aid kit in our business. Ensuring the city centre is covered with them will be a huge achievement and will save untold lives in the years to come.’’
Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson is backing the campaign and joined representatives from NWAS, Medicash, CBRE and the BID company at the official launch of Cardi-Act in St Paul’s Square in Liverpool’s Commercial District.
Ricky, who underwent quadruple heart by-pass surgery in 2007, said: “Having more defibrillators across the city needs to be a priority and it’s great that Medicash and Liverpool BID company have got together to make this happen. Just saving one life would be great but with this scheme we’re looking at dozens which is just fantastic.”
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