Visitors to hospitals urged to try out CPR

15th Oct 2018

A West Midlands healthcare Trust is supporting Restart a Heart Day by encouraging visitors to have a go at CPR.
Experts will be on hand to show those coming along to Sandwell and City Hospitals on October 16, how to carry out the life-saving act on a Manikin.

The campaign, which has been organised by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and is in its fifth year, aims to train a record-breaking 200,000 people with the skills and confidence to help save a life.
Events will be hosted not only at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWBH), but  also at schools, community centres, and emergency service stations across the country.

Dr Derek Connolly, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, said: “This is an important campaign as we know that if CPR is started early it can double the person’s chances of survival. The more people educated in crucial life-saving techniques, the more people will survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the future.”

Bethan Downing, Deputy Director of Organisation Development and Learning has organised the events with our Trusts’ Deteriorating Patient and Resus Team.
She said: “Our Deteriorating Patient and Resus Team will be based in the reception areas of our two acute hospitals, where they will be encouraging visitors to try out CPR.
“We want people have a go so they are able to understand how to carry out the procedure should they find themselves in a situation where it is needed.”

In the UK there are over 30,000 cardiac arrests a year outside of hospital where the emergency medical services attempt to resuscitate the victim. Less than 10 per cent of these people will survive.
Federico Moscogiuri, Chief Executive Officer at the Resuscitation Council (UK), added:
“This year’s Restart a Heart campaign will be bigger than ever. We are aiming to train over 200,000 people, both face-to-face and online through our free Lifesaver app, which can be downloaded at Lifesaver.org.uk.
“CPR is an important skill which anyone can learn, and which everyone will carry with them throughout their lives. The Restart a Heart campaign builds the skills and confidence of the lifesavers of today, and tomorrow.”

Watch Bethan below talk about Restart a Heart Day: 

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