The Government has launched the application process for the Community Automated External Defibrillators (AED) fund. Community organisations can now apply for a grant to fund a life-saving defibrillator for their local area.
Backed by £1 million of government funding, the defibrillator grant will provide at least 1,000 new defibrillators for community spaces across England. Each new defibrillator will be externally mounted to enable 24 hour access by members of the public.
Defibrillators provide vital treatment, with latest research showing that use of these devices within three to five minutes of a cardiac arrest increases the chance of survival by over 40%. To receive funding, community organisations will be asked to demonstrate that defibrillators will be placed in areas where they are most needed, such as rural areas, places with high footfall or spaces for vulnerable people. Examples include town halls, community centres, local shops, post offices and local parks, as these spaces ensure that defibrillators are evenly spread throughout communities and easily accessible if someone is experiencing an unexpected cardiac arrest.
Heather Wheeler MP says:
“Having an easily accessible Defibrillator – simply saves lives. We know if someone having a heart attack [is in cardiac arrest] is treated immediately it make a real difference. Personally, I would like us to have an AED easily accessible throughout South Derbyshire. Any local community applying for a Defibrillator should let me know if they are not succeeding with the application and I would urge all local communities to apply.”
