- Life-saving equipment installed at 15 Nationwide Scottish branches, giving communities round-the-clock emergency access – Virgin Money branches to follow
All branch colleagues given opportunity to complete training on how to use the equipment and respond in an emergency - Research reveals 88% of people in Scotland would feel safer knowing life-saving equipment is available locally
- Since the pilot began in June, more than 225 defibrillators and bleed control kits have already been installed at branches across the UK, with 48 already activated – evidence of how vital this equipment is to local communities
- People across Scotland now have access to potentially life-saving defibrillators and bleed control kits outside1 Nationwide branches in their communities as part of a major UK-wide rollout.
Nationwide, which has the UK’s largest branch network, has installed the publicly accessible equipment at 15 branches across Scotland, giving communities access to emergency equipment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The installations form part of Nationwide’s commitment to equip all 605 of its branches across the UK with defibrillators and bleed control kits by the end of the year, with Virgin Money branches set to follow.
The initiative is thought to be the UK’s largest-ever combined rollout of its kind and is being done in partnership with Visa, with St John Ambulance working alongside Nationwide to offer life-saving training for colleagues and local communities.
The need for the equipment, and training to use it, is highlighted by Nationwide’s research, which shows that 88 per cent of people in Scotland say they would feel safer knowing life-saving equipment is available in their local area. However, just 18 per cent say they would feel very confident using a defibrillator in an emergency.
The research also highlights that 90 per cent believe there should be more public access to defibrillators and 89 per cent support greater public access to bleed control kits.
Everyone who works at a Nationwide branch in Scotland also has access to the opportunity to complete specialist training developed by St John Ambulance – ensuring colleagues understand how to use a defibrillator, can respond to a severe bleeding incident and carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
First aid advice on how to respond to a severe bleed, cardiac arrest, and how to use a defibrillator and what to do in the event of a severe bleed, is available on St John Ambulance’s website.
To help build public confidence, Nationwide is also working with St John Ambulance to deliver ‘Heart of Community’ volunteer-led sessions sharing life-saving skills to provide local people with the knowledge and confidence to use a defibrillator, treat a severe bleed in an emergency with and without using a bleed control kit, and carry out CPR.
Since the UK-wide rollout began in June, 48 defibrillators have already been activated demonstrating the importance of the initiative.
Mandy Beech, Director of Retail Services at Nationwide, said: “Our research shows people in Scotland value having local access to life-saving equipment, but many wouldn’t feel confident using it in an emergency.
That’s why we’re not just installing defibrillators and bleed kits. Every Nationwide branch colleague in Scotland has the opportunity to receive first-aid training, and we’re working with St John Scotland to help more people gain the skills that could help save a life.”
Professor Andrew Hartle, Chief Medical Officer at St John Ambulance, said: “Every minute counts in an emergency, and having access to a defibrillator or bleed control kit can make a vital difference before the ambulance service arrives.
“By increasing the availability of this life-saving equipment and giving more people the confidence to use it, we can help communities be better prepared to respond when it matters most.
“We’re proud to be working with Nationwide and Visa on an initiative that is helping put the power of first aid into more people’s hands.”
Jenny Young, MSP for Central and Scotland Lothians West, said: “Following my recent visit to Nationwide Livingston, I’ve been really impressed by the ways James and his branch team are supporting people in the local community
“The installation of defibrillators and bleed kits at the branch can only be a good thing for the area and I am sure it will help increase people’s awareness of their purpose, and their life-saving potential.”
