life saving equipment – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Charities lobby political parties to pledge support for removing barriers to lifesaving equipment

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has teamed up with several charities to fight for more accessible and affordable defibrillators in the United Kingdom.

As key stakeholders committed to the advancement of public health in the UK, RLSS UK, alongside nine other partners, have come together to lobby for the removal of Value of Added Tax (VAT) from defibrillators.

Research found that in the most deprived areas of England and Scotland, the nearest 24/7 accessible defibrillator is on average a round trip of over a mile, or 1.8km[1]. The past two years have also seen a surge in costs of automated external defibrillators from £750 to £950, which continues to impact the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.

Pivotal in saving lives during emergencies, the current VAT on defibrillators poses a substantial barrier to their widespread availability, impeding community efforts to enhance public safety and why the group RLSS UK has written to all major parties asking for their support by pledging in their manifestos to reduce costs around this vital piece of lifesaving piece of equipment.

The letter has been signed by RLSS UK, alongside Air Ambulances UK, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross, Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation, Resuscitation Council UK, St John Ambulance, St John Ambulance Cymru, St Andrew’s First Aid and Andy Reid, a Cardiac Arrest and Defibrillator Campaigner.

Robert Gofton, Chief Executive Officer at RLSS UK, said: “Here at the Royal Life Saving Society UK, our mission revolves around education, training and support for lifesaving initiatives – and promoting the accessibility and affordability of key lifesaving equipment in the UK is no exception.

“Defibrillators are indispensable in cardiac emergencies, where timely access can be the difference between life and death. Therefore, we are steadfast in our commitment to advocate for this critical cause.

“The significance of reducing VAT on such life-saving equipment is underscored by the unified stance of numerous organisations supporting this campaign. Together, we champion this change, ensuring our collective voice resonates clearly. It is imperative that our next government prioritises the removal of VAT from defibrillators.

“In this letter, we appeal to all major political parties to include support for VAT removal on defibrillators in their manifestos. Our goal is to narrow the accessibility gap for this vital equipment, ultimately saving lives and advancing a more equitable public health agenda across the UK.”

A copy of the letter sent to the Prime Minister:

The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP Prime Minister

10 Downing Street

London SW1A 2AA

May 2024

Dear Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, Prime Minister

We trust this letter finds you in good health. We write to you as representatives of key stakeholders deeply committed to the advancement of public health in the UK. Our collective mission revolves around education, training, and support for life-saving initiatives. Today, we bring to your attention a matter of paramount importance: the accessibility and affordability of defibrillators in the United Kingdom.

As you are undoubtedly aware, defibrillators play a pivotal role in saving lives during cardiac emergencies. The timely availability of these life-saving devices can significantly impact the survival rates of individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Regrettably, the current imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on defibrillators poses a substantial barrier to their widespread availability, impeding community efforts to enhance public safety. Over the past two years, prices have surged from an average of £750 to £950 for an automated external defibrillator.

Please refer to the Appendix at the end of this letter, which underscores the critical influence of a person’s postcode on their or a loved one’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest. Such disparities are incongruent with any equitable levelling-up agenda. Consequently, we respectfully request your party’s support in advocating for the removal of VAT on defibrillators. This seemingly modest yet impactful change would not only render these devices more affordable for individuals and organisations, particularly in the most deprived areas but would also contribute to fostering a safer and more prepared society.

We earnestly urge you to consider incorporating this commitment into your party’s next manifesto. Such proactive measures would exemplify your party’s dedication to improving public health, fortifying community resilience, and, most importantly, saving lives.

We acknowledge the myriad demands on your time and resources, but we firmly believe that prioritising this issue aligns seamlessly with the values of the Conservatives and its unwavering commitment to the well-being of our citizens. Your support on this matter would not only underscore a dedication to public health but also resonate positively with voters who prioritise community safety and emergency preparedness.

Your thoughtful consideration of this request is immensely appreciated, and we sincerely hope that the Conservative Party will assume a leading role in championing this vital cause. We eagerly await your response, and are looking forward to hearing about the Conservative’s stance on this issue and its commitment to improving access to life-saving defibrillators in the United Kingdom.

Thank you for your time and attention to this critical matter and we look forward to your manifesto support for this vital piece of lifesaving equipment.

Best wishes

For more information about our lifesaving aims, please visit our website www.rlss.org.uk.

Visit our Facebook page – facebook.com/RLSSUK 

Men’s Sheds receive life-saving kit through charity partnership

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has partnered up with Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity and leading first aid training provider, St Andrew’s First Aid, to provide free Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to ten Scottish Men’s Sheds.

The SMSA put a call out to the 190+ Men’s Sheds across Scotland inviting them to apply for the Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and received 44 applications showing a huge demand for this vital equipment (retailed at just over £1,500) to be located at Shed premises across Scotland.

The ten recipients will use the equipment to not only protect their members but – with the addition of an outdoor cabinet purchased by the Shed – will also make them accessible to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Sudden cardiac arrest strikes 7 million people a year worldwide with no warning and no pattern. There’s little time to react and even less time to think, this means an AED must be close at hand, easy-to-use and ready to shock.

Chris Jowsey, Treasurer of Glenkens Men’s Shed, said: “One of our members had a cardiac arrest whilst at the Shed and sadly passed away despite the prompt actions of his fellow Shedders to get medical assistance. We can’t help but wonder if we’d had a defibrillator that day, if the outcome might have been different.

“We are delighted to have received this defibrillator through the SMSA and St Andrews First Aid and to be able to make it accessible to our entire community.”

Tom Bennett of Springburn Park Men’s Shed (above) said: “We have been trying to raise funds for a defibrillator for over two years for our Shed located within a public park in our village.

“We are thrilled to accept and maintain this defibrillator and make it accessible to our members, other community groups, park users and the general public.”

Jim Dorman, Director of Campaigns and Public Engagement at St Andrew’s First Aid, said: “Knowing that these vital pieces of equipment will be available to both members of the ten Sheds and to the wider communities will hopefully bring considerable peace of mind.

“With every minute that passes following a cardiac arrest, the chance of survival drops by 10%. Swift use of a defibrillator is all the difference needed to significantly increase a person’s chance of survival. We are delighted to donate these defibrillators to help more communities save lives.”

The successful Men’s Sheds across Scotland are: Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed; Forfar and District Men’s Shed; Glenkens Men’s Shed; Inverurie & District Men’s Shed; Macmerry Men’s Shed; Mens Shed Dumfries; Pentlands Men’s Shed; Peterhead & District Men’s Shed; Springburn Park Men’s Shed; and Whale Firth Men’s Shed.

There is still time to apply for the prestigious ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2021 from the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA).

2021 Timeline:

Deadline for applications:
Midnight on Sunday 26th September 2021

Shortlist announced and open to public vote:
Monday 4th October 2021

Closed to public vote:
Midnight on Sunday 17th October 2021

Winner announced at SMSA AGM/Awards event:
Thursday 4th November 2021

Long distance golfer David completes life-saving challenge

Twelve weeks, over 1,100 miles, a quarter of a million golf shots, more than 920 lost golf balls and an estimated 30,000 people trained in life-saving CPR skills.

This is what former Armed Forces trainer, David Sullivan aged 58 from Oxted in Surrey, has accomplished after setting off from John O’Groats in June on a mammoth mission to walk across the UK while hitting a golf ball and teaching people life-saving CPR skills along the way.

David arrived at his destination of Land’s End on 22^nd August.

David set himself this extraordinary task, which involved walking between 14 and 30 miles every day and camping overnight, to raise awareness of the importance of knowing CPR, and to raise funds that would enable more towns and villages across the country to install life-saving defibrillators.

At every one of David’s stops on his mammoth journey, he trained people how to perform CPR.

David’s passion for teaching CPR came about in 2016 when, while playing golf, he was faced with a life-or-death situation. When a young man experienced a cardiac arrest in front of him, David luckily knew what to do.

He gave CPR for 17 minutes until the man could be treated with a defibrillator.

“It was thanks to my training, and a defibrillator being nearby, that I was able to help save the man, who luckily made a full recovery,” says David. “When something like that happens right in front of you, it makes you realise how precious life is and how important it is to know what to do in that kind of emergency.

“It was an experience which profoundly affected me, and now it’s my mission to create an army of life savers all over the country.”

David had hoped to raise £60k, which would mean that 60 locations in Britain could be kitted out with a defibrillator, but at just over £9k, he is hoping that completing his challenge will encourage more people to donate.

“I’m imploring individuals and businesses all over the country to support this endeavour. Until a cardiac arrest happens to you, or someone you know, it’s impossible to truly understand how critical defibrillators are. Being treated with a defibrillator can literally mean the difference between life and death.

“We saw this recently when Danish footballer Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch. It can happen to anyone at any age at any time. Being treated with a defibrillator increases someone’s chance of survival by up to 70%.”

Donations can be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-sullivan-77.

American Golf kindly sponsored David on this adventure.

Gary Favell, CEO of American Golf said: “David has been on an incredible journey over the last two months and American Golf is proud to have been behind him, encouraging him every step of the way.

“It’s been fantastic to see the attention that David’s challenge has garnered up and down the country, raising awareness of the importance of knowing CPR, and the enthusiasm that he has shown in training people along his route.

“Huge congratulations to David on all he has achieved – we hope he now enjoys a well-earned rest having reached his final hole.”

For more information visit www.creatinglifesavers.com.