Supermarket refuse defib offer
Supermarket bosses have been criticised for refusing to let a charity leave a defibrillator at their Kinross store in case of an emergency.
Kinross First Responders say they have asked Sainsbury’s to consider keeping the equipment at their Station Road store twice this year already.
But the group says managers are unwilling to accept the device because it is unlike models used at other stores up and down the country.
Kinross First Responders said in post on social media: “With Sainsbury’s being one of the busiest places in Kinross, it makes sense to have a defibrillator nearby and many other Sainsbury’s stores have one.
“Unfortunately our latest offer has also been declined on the basis that our defibrillator is not the model Sainsbury’s use elsewhere. We understand this is a Sainsbury’s head office decision and not the local store.
“With this in mind we have a defibrillator that we would be happy to work with other community groups or organisations to make publicly available in areas not currently served by a defibrillator within Kinross-shire. Please contact us via private message if you wish to discuss this further with us.”
Residents were quick to criticise Sainsbury’s after Kinross First Responders posted their appeal.
Pamela Hunter of Hunters of Kinross said: “Hunters also offered to place a defibrillator outside Sainsbury’s in 2017. They declined Hunters’ offer also. It does not make sense.”
Another resident said: “Get a grip Sainsbury’s head office and accept this fantastic offer of a potentially life saving piece of equipment.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson commented: “Safety is our highest priority and we are committed to supporting the communities that we serve in a range of ways.
“We have listened to Kinross First Responders’ concerns and explained we can only accept a defibrillator model which meets our health and safety requirements.”