New defibrillator network could help save lives in Badenoch and Strathspey
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Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston is encouraging people and organisations hosting defibrillators in their communities to ensure they are registered with a new a UK-wide national defibrillator network.
The Circuit integrates with ambulance dispatch centres to direct bystanders to the nearest defibrillator in case of a cardiac arrest, reducing the time it takes those needing defibrillation to start receiving treatment.
The campaign to register defibrillators is being supported by the British Heart Foundation, in partnership with the Resuscitation Council UK and the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “Only one in 10 people currently survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK, but we know that accessing a defibrillator can greatly improve the chances of survival.
“Unfortunately, the majority of defibrillators are not known to the ambulance service which can mean that, in an emergency, people are not directed to their nearest device.
“However, registering your defibrillator with The Circuit should help the ambulance service direct people to their nearest defibrillator more quickly in the event of someone suffering a cardiac arrest. That could save lives.
“And this could be particularly significant in the Highlands and Islands given the potential distances emergency services have to cover in order to attend to someone who needs help.”
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