MacManus calls for HSE defib database
SINN Féin Councillor Chris MacManus has called on the HSE to set up an online register of the locations of defibrillators around the country.
He proposed his motion at the October Council meeting and asked how many automated external defibrillators (AEDs)were in County Sligo.
“Are there any located in the city centre? Would a trained first-responder not from the area know how to locate it?” he asked members.
“The answers it seems is that no one knows. The Irish Heart Foundation has no indication where defibs are located.
“Indeed, a HIQA report from September 2014 stated: ‘Ireland already has a high level of diffusion of AEDs on a voluntary basis, however, this system is not standardised, coordinated or linked to emergency medical services.’
“It would seem to be prudent for the HSE to co-ordinate a central register, county-by-county of existing defibs and their exact co-ordinates.
“Such a register will arm every trained defib user with the ability to act as swiftly as possible to save lives.