A Life-Saving Investment: Defibrillators to be provided to all schools in Northern Ireland.
Date published:
Education Minister Paul Givan has today announced a significant new initiative to fund and roll out Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to all schools in Northern Ireland.
A recent survey has indicated that less than half of schools in Northern Ireland currently have a defibrillator on site. The Department of Education will provide over £700,000 of funding to provide defibrillators in around 600 schools.
The Minister said: “I am very pleased that all schools in Northern Ireland are to be provided with a defibrillator before the end of the current academic year.
“Having access to defibrillators in schools drastically increases the chance of pupils, teachers and visitors surviving a cardiac arrest. AEDs are cost-efficient, safe and easy to use. Teachers and pupils across the country can now be reassured that they will have access to one on school grounds should an emergency strike.
“This funding will potentially save lives. Wherever possible, defibrillators will be located on the external boundaries of schools and importantly will be available to local communities. I am proud that we are taking this important step for the health and safety of our society.”
Welcoming the announcement, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Michael Bloomfield said: “The importance of defibrillators in schools cannot be overstated. These life-saving devices can give children, staff, visitors and our wider community the chance to survive a sudden cardiac arrest and continue to live healthy, active lives.
“I am delighted that all school defibrillators will be registered with The Circuit - the national defibrillator network - which provides the NHS ambulance services with vital information about defibrillators across the UK so that they can be accessed quickly when required.”
The rollout of defibrillators will build on existing requirements for schools to teach CPR and awareness of AEDs within the curriculum. Since 2022, over 500 teachers have been trained through the Community of Lifesavers Programme developed by the Department, CCEA and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Notes to editors:
- A defibrillator is a machine that is placed externally on the body and is used to give an electric shock when a person is in cardiac arrest i.e. when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body. Prompt defibrillation can help save a person’s life.
- Less than half of all schools in Northern Ireland have an AED on site.
- The new initiative will ensure that every school in Northern Ireland will have access to an AED.
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