Education Minister has today announced a
significant new initiative to fund and roll out Automated
External Defibrillators (AEDs) to all schools in Northern
Ireland.
A recent survey has indicated that less than half of schools in
Northern Ireland currently have a defibrillator on site. The
Department of Education will provide over £700,000 of funding to
provide defibrillators in around 600 schools.
The Minister said: “I am very pleased that all schools in
Northern Ireland are to be provided with a defibrillator before
the end of the current academic year.
“Having access to defibrillators in schools drastically increases
the chance of pupils, teachers and visitors surviving a cardiac
arrest. AEDs are cost-efficient, safe and easy to
use. Teachers and pupils across the country can now be
reassured that they will have access to one on school grounds
should an emergency strike.
“This funding will potentially save lives. Wherever possible,
defibrillators will be located on the external boundaries of
schools and importantly will be available to local communities. I
am proud that we are taking this important step for the health
and safety of our society.”
Welcoming the announcement, Chief Executive of the Northern
Ireland Ambulance Service, Michael Bloomfield said: “The
importance of defibrillators in schools cannot be overstated.
These life-saving devices can give children, staff, visitors and
our wider community the chance to survive a sudden cardiac arrest
and continue to live healthy, active lives.
“I am delighted that all school defibrillators will be registered
with The Circuit - the national defibrillator network -
which provides the NHS ambulance services with vital information
about defibrillators across the UK so that they can be accessed
quickly when required.”
The rollout of defibrillators will build on existing requirements
for schools to teach CPR and awareness of AEDs within the
curriculum. Since 2022, over 500 teachers have been trained
through the Community of Lifesavers Programme developed by the
Department, CCEA and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Notes to editors:
- A defibrillator is a machine that is placed externally on the
body and is used to give an electric shock when a person is in
cardiac arrest i.e. when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood
around the body. Prompt defibrillation can help save a person's
life.
- Less than half of all schools in Northern Ireland have an AED
on site.
- The new initiative will ensure that every school in Northern
Ireland will have access to an AED.
