MSPs have debated the need for more defibrillator machines in communities across Scotland. Yesterday’s debate was secured by a motion from SNP MSP Stuart McMillan commending Show Some Heart, the Jayden Orr campaign.
Miles Briggs MSP praised Lothian defibrillator charities that are carrying out excellent work providing more defibrillator machines in Lothian communities.
In Lothian the Jamie Skinner Foundation was established following the tragic death from sudden cardiac arrest of the 13 year old Tynecastle Football Club player Jamie Skinner in 2013.
The Foundation has achieved a great deal around raising awareness of the risk of cardiac arrest in young sportspeople and has also raised a very significant amount of money, with more than £40,000 being spent on the community defibrillators which have the potential to make such a difference and save lives.
The “St John and the city” public access defibrillator project has helped deliver numerous defibrillators across our capital, including on the city’s trams and at key tourist attractions.
Miles also urged community groups that have not yet done so to register details of their local defibrillators so that the Scottish Ambulance Service can know where the nearest defibrillators are located and give this information out to people calling them before an ambulance is despatched.
Delivering a defibrillatory electrical shock to the heart within 3-5 minutes of someone collapsing can produce survival rates as high as 75%.
Lothian MSP and Conservative Health spokesperson Miles Briggs commented: “My condolences are with Jayden Orr’s family (above) on their loss and I praise and admire them for using their own experience of tragedy to take forward the Show Some Heart campaign to benefit others in their community.
“Defibrillators can make a real difference in saving lives when communities are properly equipped to provide an emergency response.
“It is important to continue the roll out of defibrillators to all communities throughout Scotland.
“I believe the time has come for the Scottish Parliament to consider the need to set a minimum requirement on the location of defibrillators in public buildings such as schools and sports facilities.”
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