New defibrillator installed in High Wycombe town centre

The new defibrillator in All Saints Churchyard (Image supplied by HWBIDCo)

A new life saving defibrillator has been installed in High Wycombe town centre.

The life saving medical device has been installed in All Saints Churchyard, just off the High Street, to help and support a rescue for a person in cardiac arrest.

The new device will be registered with the national defibrillator network which connects immediately to NHS ambulance services across the UK. It can be accessed in emergencies by calling 999, who will provide a code to unlock the device and offer guidance on use.

It is a project initiated and funded by town centre team, HWBIDCo with contributions from Thames Valley police and Wycombe Food Hub.

With approximately 60,000 people each year sustaining sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital, the new equipment will enable members of the public with basic training, to improve a patient’s survival rate and save valuable minutes before the emergency services arrive.

Whilst Wycombe Hospital is close by, HWBIDCo recognised the importance of having the crucial life saving equipment close to hand in the town centre.

Melanie Williams, Chief Executive of HWBIDCo, said: ‘Emergencies can happen anywhere, and we want to ensure that our town centre is fully equipped for all eventualities. The fast deployment of a defibrillator has been shown to increase the survival rate of a sudden cardiac arrest victim by up to 90% and it’s important to us to offer that life-saving support.‘

Further information about using Defibrillators and providing CPR can be found at www.resus.org.uk.

*Source of information : Press release from HWBIDCo.