Lifesaving heart safety campaign led by leading cash plan provider Medicash is expanding…

CardiACT was launched last year in Liverpool City Centre with the aim of ensuring that no person is ever more than two minutes away from a defibrillator. Evidence shows the chances of survival from a cardiac arrest is 80% if a defibrillator is used within that time. Without one, the chances of survival reduce to just 2%.

Now Astmoor Business Improvement District(BID) in Runcorn, in partnership with Halton Chamber of Commerce have signed up to the campaign which will secure the purchase of three defibrillators initially. The campaign will encourage other businesses to buy or share the cost as well as promote the sharing of existing defibrillators between neighbouring organisations.

Medicash chief executive Sue Weir said: “The support from Astmoor BID and Halton Chamber is a tremendous boost for the CardiACT campaign in Halton and Runcorn. According to the British Heart Foundation, there is one heart attack every three minutes in the UK. Defibrillators are life-saving devices and should be as common as first aid kits in public places.”

Through the CardiACT scheme, local businesses are being encouraged to come forward to purchase their own defibrillator or to team up with their neighbouring businesses to buy one on a shared basis. Through the scheme, businesses or community groups can purchase a heavily discounted defibrillator. Free training and support worth up to £500 is also included.

Chair of Astmoor BID, Jill Naylor, said: “Medicash has spearheaded an important initiative which will save lives and Astmoor BID is giving the CardiACT campaign its full support.”

Paula Cain, Chief Executive of Halton Chamber of Commerce said: “The scheme is accessible to businesses of all sizes and the discounted cost and free training makes a huge difference. We want to achieve high take up across Halton and are urging all of our members to get involved and help save as many lives as possible.”

For more information on the CardiACT scheme email [email protected]

 

***Please note, due to the current pressure on the NHS and ambulance service, the inclusion of free training has temporarily been suspended***