Julia Doel from South Western Ambulance Service updating on the Trusts work with local communities around Responder and Defibrillator schemes.
Minutes:
At a previous meeting, the Board had invited the Ambulance Service to attend and provide information specific to the community area. A written report was produced and presented to the Board, however the Board felt that this had not been localised enough.
Julia Doel from South Western Ambulance Service was in attendance to give an update on the work of the Trust with local communities around Responder and Defibrillator schemes.
The community responder department wanted to find a way of promoting the defibrillator scheme and had attended many Area Board meetings across the county to spread the message that a community defibrillator was a really good idea, as it enabled communities to have a life saving piece of equipment to hand.
Once a community decided it would like one, these could be purchased from a supplier, through a scheme provider or through the Ambulance Service as part of their 4 year scheme. The defibrillator was then located in a central point in the community so that it could be easily accessed, such as on pubs, village halls, garages etc. Making it available 24/7.
Depending on which scheme the community opt for, the Ambulance Service could then register the piece of equipment. Then, when a 999 call was made, the caller could be directed to the location of the device along with any codes to unlock the cabinet, if required.
The Ambulance Service ran a 4 year loan scheme for their community devices, providing a one stop shop which included annual training, maintenance and upgrading of equipment during that period. The machines were self explanatory, giving verbal instructions to those using it.
Julia’s colleague Stuart then gave a demonstration on how to use the defibrillator on a dummy. The process was quite straight forward. It was set at a level which assumed the person using it has no experience.
The NHS scheme cost £2,160 including vat, with additional defibrillators costing £1000, for a 4 year loan.
Questions and comments included:
· Phil Matthews – A few years ago you kindly gave defibrillators to Wilton, 6 all together. At the time Wilton TC knew nothing. We know where 4 are, but not sure about the other 2. Answer: The trust decided that they would fund a number of defibrillators in the north of the division. It identified places of need, such as golf courses, garden centres, tourist attractions and major supermarkets. We placed 100 devices at those locations and dealt with the business directly. We know where all of those are today. We are not in a position to fund any additional free devices today.
· The devices seem to have greatly reduced in size and style. Are older ones as effective? Answer: If your device was provided by an accreditation scheme it was likely that the scheme provider would arrange any upgrades. If a community wanted to register their device with the Ambulance Service, then it would need to meet current guidelines. If an organisation privately owned their defibrillator they would need to liaise with the manufacture to update them. Our scheme includes this updating service.
· Claire Churchill – my parishes have discussed having a defibrillator, one concern is that if you call 999 you are kept on the line, how do they get to the defibrillator 100y down the road without mobile phone coverage to allow them to move whilst on a call. Answer: Advice is, if you are on your own and do not have a mobile phone, then you stay with the patient and administer CPR. This scheme did not work in all situations, in particular those villages where there was no mobile reception. You really need a second person with you.
· In Mere the device has a battery low message and was there any issues with damp in the cabinets? Answer: In Mere their device is from the Community Heartbeat Trust. They have registered the defibrillator with us and given the access codes. Most cabinets are provided with a heater to keep them warm in winter.
· You’re not keen on locked cabinets? Answer: We would prefer them not to be in a locked cabinet as instant access is preferred. You wouldn’t put a fire extinguisher or a lifejacket in a cabinet. If stolen under our scheme we would replace them. They have not been stolen in Wiltshire.
· Is the survival rate after a heart attack is 2% if no defibrillator available, or 60% if there is? Answer: Early access to a defibrillator can increase someone’s survival rate to about 75%.
· What was the usage data? Answer: Julia agreed to try to get this info, as she was not sure if it was available.
The Chairman added that due to the limited mobile phone network in some villages, the Board had decided to invest in first aid training, which had been widely taken up. He urged all PCs to debate the option for a community defibrillator and in particular the NHS scheme, in knowledge that you got a machine for 4 years which would be kept up to date.
If parishes were interested in the NHS scheme they could go straight to Julia or go through Steve.
Julia Doel: Julia.doel@swast.nhs.uk