Life saving defibrillators installed in Shrewsbury

Up to seven out of ten people who suffer a cardiac arrest could survive if they are treated with a defibrillator within the first five minutes, but more than half of Britons have no idea where their nearest life-saving equipment is sited.

To help combat these statistics, Shrewsbury Town Council has been working in partnership with Team Shrewsbury and local councillors to install defibrillators at various key locations in the town.

Helen Ball, town clerk for the Town Council, added: “We had been in discussions with a number of agencies about the practicalities of the defibrillators and the future maintenance issues for them. We have to take into account the need to inspect the devices and ensure that all the necessary equipment is kept in date and is stocked to cater for any future emergencies.

“We looked at a number of prominent locations around the town and following expert advice, we have installed the new defibrillators at key locations to improve the life chances of people in Shrewsbury.

“Whilst we hope that we don’t have an emergency, the defibrillator is designed to enable anyone to use it with step-by-step instructions provided and could make a difference in helping to save a life.”

The defibrillators in the town centre have been installed in the following locations: The Quarry – affixed to the wall of the toilets at the top of the Quarry; Castlefields – by the front door of Castlefields Community Centre; Abbey Foregate – on the wall of the public toilets in the car park and The Market Hall

A further six defibrillators have been installed in five local schools and one community centre in Shrewsbury with funding from Councillor Ioan Jones’ Mayor’s Charity fundraising during his term of office with contributions from Jon Tandy’s Mayoral Fund.

Councillor Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: “It’s great news that these potentially life-saving devices are coming to the town centre thanks to Team Shrewsbury and in five schools and one community centre thanks to Councillor Ioan Jones. In Castlefields, I am delighted to have been part of a small group, and a tremendous community effort, which raised £1,600 to buy our own defibrillator.  Donations from local groups and many individuals were backed by contributions from Veolia and Blakemore Retail (SPAR).”

The schools to benefit from having a defibrillator on site are: Belvidere Senior School, Shrewsbury Academy, Priory School, Mount Pleasant Primary School and Crowmoor Primary School, whilst the Grange Community Centre will house the sixth life-saving device.