Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay, has welcomed the announcement that the government is inviting community organisations to bid for funding for a defibrillator for their area.
The Department of Health and Social Care is inviting interested organisations to register expressions of interest for its £1 million Community Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Fund, aimed at increasing the number of AEDs in public places where they are most needed and help save lives.
The funding is part of the Government’s drive to equip the health system with the right technology to ease pressures, reduce backlogs and cut waiting lists, and to improve public access to care when they need it.
As part of the grant award, applicants will be asked to demonstrate that defibrillators will be placed in areas where they are most needed, such as places with high footfall, vulnerable people, rural areas, or due to the nature of activity at the site.
Examples could include town halls, community centres, local shops, post offices and local parks, to ensure that defibrillators are evenly spread throughout communities and easily accessible if someone is experiencing an unexpected cardiac arrest.
An estimated 1,000 new defibrillators are to be provided by the fund, with the potential for this to double as successful applicants will be asked to match the funding they receive partially or fully.
Organisations who submit an expression of interest will be notified once grant applications open to the Department of Health and Social Care’s £1m Community AED Fund.
Organisations can submit an expression of interest here
Commenting, Steve said:
“Following the successful campaign last year which I backed to provide defibrillators for all schools, I am delighted to see the Government continuing to take action and release this new funding for community groups who need access to these life-saving pieces of equipment.”
“I encourage any interested groups to make an application. Let me know and I will be happy to support. This funding will undoubtedly save lives and I look forward to it being used to provide new defibrillators for community groups across the country.”
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, said:
“We know, through inspiring stories of ordinary people, being kept alive thanks to the swift use of a defibrillator in public, that these extraordinary devices must be accessible to all.
“I urge any organisation that may benefit from a defibrillator – whether you’re a sports club, local theatre or community hall – to register your interest for this fund so that we can get more of this life-saving technology placed around England.”
Minister of State for Care, Helen Whately, said:
“When a friend, family member, neighbour or even a total stranger is experiencing cardiac arrest, the quick use of a defibrillator in an easy to reach place can be the lifeline that keeps them with us.
“If you run a space in your community that could benefit from one, please register your interest for our £1 million grant, and join our drive to widen the availability of this incredible technology.”