Scottish Government to pay for defribillators
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- Published: Thursday, 03 April 2014 07:27
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Defibrillators are to be installed in every NHS dental practice across Scotland to help save more people who have a heart attack in the community. Health Minister Michael Matheson said: “There are almost 1000 NHS dental practices in the centre of Scottish communities. By giving them this equipment we are providing 1000 more chances to save a life. I believe that this investment will save many more lives.”
Over 1500 Scots died after a cardiac arrest out-with hospital last year. This £1 million scheme aims to reduce this figure by having almost 1000 more defibrillators in public spaces. The machines will also be mapped on to the Scottish Ambulance Service control system to enable ambulance call handlers to direct the public to the practice while an ambulance is on its way. At the moment, only five per cent of people who have a cardiac arrest in the community survive, and every minute of delay cuts their chances. A defibrillator can be used by any member of the public to deliver an electric shock to the chest as quickly as possible to restore a person’s heart to a normal rhythm after a cardiac arrest. The easy-to-use machines will be in place by the end of August.
Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson said: "Every second counts when someone's heart goes into cardiac arrest and having access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death. As these machines are becoming easier to use it is only right that the public have more access to its life-saving potential in any public places. There are almost 1000 NHS dental practices in the centre of Scottish communities. By giving them this equipment we are providing 1000 more chances to save a life. I believe that this investment will save many more lives.”
The local public will be informed of the new defibrillators through a range of measures, including a display in the dental practices’ window. Prior to this new funding the machines had to be purchased directly by dentists. Practitioners who have already purchased defibrillators will be compensated. The new defibrillators will be purchased through a national procurement contract.
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