Defibrillators campaign asks Londoners to host devices
"These devices are incredibly easy to operate and give people in life-threatening emergencies the best chance of survival."The device is a defibrillator, and London Ambulance Service (LAS) paramedic Sam Palfreyman-Jones is urging Londoners to host one in their communities - and save lives."A person who has a defibrillator used on them by a bystander is nearly four times more likely to survive a cardiac arrest," she says.When used quickly they give patients "the best possible chance" of surviving a cardiac arrest, says Sam.
A cardiac arrest is a serious medical emergency where a person's heart stops beating and pumping blood around the body.Sam says bystanders need to act fast in the moments before an ambulance arrives.Paramedics like Sam are calling on Londoners to host a defibrillator in their communities by contacting the dedicated London Ambulance Charity. This follows a £140,000 grant to directly fund nearly 60 defibrillators for local neighbourhoods.The money was awarded to the London Ambulance Charity by NHS Charities Together as a result of a partnership with Omaze - and the £2.6m raised as part of the Million Pound House Draw.
'Defibrillator deserts'
Sam, who is head of community resuscitation at LAS as well as a paramedic, says the grant "will really bolster the Heart Starters campaign and fund nearly 60 defibrillators for the local communities in desperate need of these devices". She adds: "I'd also like to thank everyone who took part in the draw for helping to give our patients the best possible chance of surviving a cardiac arrest."We're calling on Londoners to help their neighbours and loved ones by hosting a defibrillator in their communities."LAS analysis revealed that dozens of London neighbourhoods were "defibrillator deserts" with little or no access to a life-saving device.The data also exposed large discrepancies in outcomes for cardiac arrest and the availability of life-saving devices. LAS said deprived areas were more likely to be in greater need of additional defibrillators.
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