Justin Tomlinson MP was joined by local Haydon Wick Councillor Oliver Donachie, Chair of Haydon Wick Parish Council John Stooke and a representative from British Land at Catherine Wayte Primary School yesterday to launch their new community defibrillator.
As a patron of the Swindon British Heart Foundation, Justin has campaigned in parliament for more defibrillator's stationed across local communities as well as for the inclusion of emergency life saving skills in our national curriculum.
A defibrillator is needed when a 999 call has been made, but someone needs immediate care before an ambulance arrives. The 999 operator will establish the condition of the casualty and inform the caller about the location of the nearest defibrillator. The operator will stay on the phone whilst the person caring for the unwell person will use the defibrillator which also speaks and administers the shock only when the casualty needs it.
Due to the urgent nature of the instances when a defibrillator is needed, it is important that one is located nearby, which is why the new installation at the school is vital for the local Haydon Wick community. The school has also said that it will be hosting training sessions for people within the local community so that they are fully equipped with the skills to use the defibrillator.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "This is an issue which I am extremely passionate about and I believe that more defibrillators across Swindon will help to save lives. Hopefully people will never need to use this defibrillator but it is a vital addition to the local community for those who do. A big thank you must go to Catherine Wayte Primary School for allowing their defibrillator to go on the outside of the school so that the local community can still access it when the school is closed. Thanks as well to Swindon Borough Council, Haydon Wick Parish Council and British Land, who all contributed to the funding of the community defibrillator and made its instillation possible."
