Defibrillators needed urgently in Grantham

District Councillor Charmaine Morgan, Chair SOS Grantham Hospital, has called upon South Kesteven District Council to take urgent action. 
When Grantham A+E was closed SoSGH offered to get de-fibrilators but were advised the matter was in hand. 

Councillor Morgan said:Following recent discussions with representatives from Street Pastors and LIVES it became clear there is a serious gap in the availability of de-fibrilators in Grantham. A police report also highlighted this issue. 

I have had meetings with SKDC Chief Executive Aiden Rave, and Grantham Lions have kindly offered help. 

At Full Council on Thursday 23 May I called for a progress report on my request South Kesteven District Council to provide de-fibrilators in public places throughout Grantham and where necessary in the District. 
SKDC Leader Cllr Matthew Lee supported the provision of de-fibrilators in Grantham but suggested it may need to go through a committee. The committee process however can be slow and may not be necessary.

We have a commitment to a survey of existing equipment and feasibility study from SKDC Chief Executive Aiden Rave. We also need urgent action.  
With no A+E in Grantham at night at present, the lack of de-fibrilators in Grantham is hugely concerning. LIVES state they must be available to the public 24/7 and placed no more than 500m from each other. 

The de-fibrillators/resuscitation cost approximately £1600 each unit and are a life saving tool. Their location is shared with 999 operators who would direct a member of public to the de-fibrilators in an emergency. Should someone stop breathing every second counts. 

Grantham Lions have raised money for a de-fibrilator. I have suggested this goes on the outside wall of the SKDC owned toilet in the Market Square as a Pilot Site. Street Pastors are in need of easy access to a de-fibrilator when they do their amazing work supporting people at night. 

There is a need to provide de-fibrilators in Grantham Town Centre and on all our residential areas and estates where gaps exist. Villages have de-fibrilators managed by their Parish Councils. SKDC have responsibility because Grantham has no town or parish council.

SKDC may need the support of local businesses and possibly home owners where no suitable location can be found. Bus stops and public call boxes can be used. They must be fitted by an electrician and require maintainance and servicing every 2 years. The rollout of defibrillators needs appropriate funding and proper ongoing management. 

The Lions have kindly offered to donate towards a de-fibrilator. An offer SKDC should take up urgently. SKDC have a de-fibrilator in Customer Services lobby but, like others in town, is not accessible to the public 24/7. It would help if it were relocated a few feet to an external wall. 

I will continue to monitor the situation and am happy to work with all parties to get the defibrillators rolled out urgently. An SKDC officer is completing a survey. I look forward to seeing the results.

Anyone interested in this issue is welcome to contact me on 07398 156296.