Defibrillators should to be installed in all community pitches
Labour’s Senator Mark Wall is calling for defibrillators to be installed in all community pitches in Ireland.
This comes following a new report showing that almost one-third of heart attack victims who received defibrillation from members of the public last year survived.
Senator Wall said:
“Having a defibrillator present can be the difference between life and death. They are an expensive investment for clubs to make but they are hugely valuable. Labour are urging Government to ensure all community pitches have defibrillators installed.
“There’s not much point in having one if people don’t know where they are. That’s why we have consistently called for the development of an app or central register of all the available defibrillators around the country. We need to give people every chance.
“Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, regardless of their age or fitness level.
“I am calling on the Government to provide funding for a programme to install defibrillators in all community pitches across the country. This would be a relatively inexpensive investment that could save lives.
“Labour has previously called for a programme to install defibrillators in all schools. We think every school and community pitch should have access to a defibrillator.
“Every defibrillator that is installed in a community pitch is one more life that could be saved. We urge the Government and all community groups to take action to make these life-saving devices more accessible.”