North West Ambulance Service up for top award (From Lancashire Telegraph)

North West Ambulance Service up for top award

11:40pm Friday 7th September 2012 in News

THE North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has been shortlisted for the Heart Safe Public Organisation of the Year award.

NWAS put forward its application, detailing the actions of the service’s 20-strong Community Resuscitation Team (CRT) over previous years.

The CRT work alongside 1,600 Community First Responders in delivering the HeartStart initiative, in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and The Chain of Survival Partnership.

To date, NWAS has installed approximately 600 public access defibrillators in locations across the North West. In 2011/12, 6,420 members of the public were trained in basic life support, and 2,923 trained in how to use a defibrillator.

Andrew Redgrave, NWAS community engagement manager, said: “No-one knows when or who will suffer a cardiac arrest or heart attack – but by having a defibrillator on-hand and an individual with the confidence to use the equipment nearby, it could mean the difference between life and death for that person.

“For every minute a person suffering a cardiac arrest does not receive treatment their chance of survival decreases by 10 per cent. This training can, and does, save lives.”

The UK Heart Safe Awards evening is due to be held at Salford City Stadium on September 20. Proceeds from the awards dinner will go towards the charity Hand on Heart which funds defibrillators and CPR training for schools in the UK.