A LIFE-SAVING defibrillator has been installed at Horizon Community Hub thanks to the joint efforts of Worcester Community Trust, the Perryfields Community Association (PCA) and West Mercia Police.
The device, which delivers an electric current to restart the heart when someone is in cardiac arrest, has been placed in a prominent position by the main entrance of the community hub, and is available for the community to use.
The device is registered on The Circuit – the National Defibrillator Network – which provides a national overview of where defibrillators can be found and provides emergency services with accurate information in order to direct people to the closest unit in an emergency.
The defibrillator is designed to be used by someone with no medical training, with an in-built speaker giving simple step-by-step instructions to operate, however Worcester Community Trust will be providing free training to people in the community.
It was donated by Kaz Secker of Horus Medical Supplies and the cabinet was funded by the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner.
Sarah Mackay, director of development at Worcester Community Trust said: “We are delighted this has been installed at our Community Hub and will be rolling out training to staff and members of the local community so people know how to use it in an emergency situation”
Jabba Riaz, chair of the Perryfields Community Association and local councillor, who helped secure the unit for the local community said: “One of our missions is to increase life chances for those in the local community around the Horizon Hub and the installation of this piece of equipment is vital in providing access to those who are more vulnerable and at higher risk of heart attacks”
Supt Gareth Morgan of West Mercia Police who funded the unit said: “From the outset we set out a vision that this project could only be successful with the buy in from the community and with the support from West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner, Worcester Community Trust, Councillor Riaz and Young Solutions this is now the case.
Kaz Secker of Horus Medical Supplies, who donated the defibrillator said: “One of the main aims when I started up the company was to help generate awareness and provide support where I can regarding the benefits of public access defibrillators.
“They play a vital role in helping save lives in the local community, and with the ongoing strain on the NHS and ambulance service, having one of these devices accessible can help members of the public feel less helpless when faced with a cardiac arrest.
“Horus Med Supplies have so far been able to donate five of these devices to much needed areas of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and will continue to support local communities in reaching their goal,” she added.
