SILHILLIANS are being called on to apply for funds to get more community defibrillators installed across the borough.
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Solihull West and Shirley MP, put out the call as he launched his annual charity fundraiser will help improve the network of the life-saving devices across Solihull.
The former medical officer in the British Army said: “I know that using a defibrillator within three minutes of a cardiac arrest can improve a person’s chance of survival by as much as 70%.
“A better provision of defibrillators, and increasing the number of people trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, could help save more lives of those who have a cardiac arrest outside a hospital setting.”
The Department of Health and Social Care has a match funding pot available to community groups that want to install a defibrillator that is accessible to all 24 hours a day.
The £1million Community Automated External Defibrillators Fund was made available under the previous government, and groups are expected to raise around £750 to get the funds.
The conservative MP said: “I’m strongly encouraging local organisations and groups who manage community spaces to apply for this funding for life-saving funding equipment. We need to grow our defibrillator network across the borough, so that more lives can be saved in the future.
“In addition, I am pleased to announce that as my charity fundraiser for the year,
“I will be raising money for defibrillators locally, as I campaign to improve the network of these life saving devices across Solihull West and Shirley.”
For more about the Department of Health and Social Care grant click here.
