Defibrillators planned for Leicester Parks

Defibrillators planned for Leicester Parks

Posted: Wed, 03 Jul 2013

Defibrillators planned for Leicester Parks

The sudden death of Joe has prompted a move to put potentially life-saving equipment in Leicester's main parks.

The city council has agreed to install defibrillators in five of its biggest recreation grounds around Leicester. The devices will be used by trained park staff to help revive people who have suffered heart failure, by delivering an electric charge to restart the organ.

The plan follows discussions between the council and the Trust.

Joe's dad Steve, former Leicester City goalkeeper, said:
"Getting defibrillators in parks is a very positive step.
"Every minute that passes without treatment reduces the chance of survival. A defibrillator can switch the heartbeat back on and that massively improves chances of survival.
"Nothing can bring my son back but we can learn lessons to reduce the chances of anything like this happening again.
"In 10 years, I think defibrillators will be as common as fire extinguishers. We have a long way to go, but we are learning from Joe's tragedy and making sure we are better prepared to deal with SADS."

The council has bought five defibrillators, costing a total of £5,980.
These will be based at Abbey, Evington, Braunstone, Victoria and Spinney Hill parks, where the authority has staff permanently based.
Training for 13 members of staff was carried out by St John Ambulance in May. More will be trained in the coming weeks.

Parks officer Andrew Dhillon, who is based at Spinney Hills Park, said:
"I hope we never have to use these defibrillators, but I hope people will be reassured that they are here.
"We have lots of people who use the park for exercise, including people with heart complaints. If someone does col
lapse then we can be there quickly to help them and that could mean the difference between life and death."

Leicester deputy mayor Councillor Rory Palmer said:
"We already have defibrillators in all our leisure centres with pools. One will be going into De Montfort Hall in the next few months.
"I have seen the great work the Joe Humphries Trust is doing and we want to support that."

Read more at This is Leicestershire

Tags: CPR, Defibrillator

Partners & Supporters

  • Boden
    Bradgate Park Trust
    BBC Radio Leicester
    East Midlands Ambulance Service
  • LRSport
    Gateley
    Pukaar News
    Shepshed Lions - Community First Responders
  • Rothley Park Cricket Club
    Musical Village
    Cipher Entertainment
    Jessica Michelle School of Dance
  • Arrhythmia Alliance
    AFC Andrews
    Leicestershire County Council
    Willmott Dixon
  • Agora
    Longslade Community College
    Provident IT Solutions
    Rothley Parish Council
  • Leicestershire and Rutland County FA
    Barwood
    Leicester City Council
    Leicester Unity Boxing Club
  • BBC
    Leicester Tigers
    UHL Trust
    Dickinson & Morris
  • De Lisle
    Heartwize
    Leicester Legends
    Loughborough Town Cricket Club
  • TS Tiger Leicester Sea Cadets
    Sports Cardiology UK
    Demon Media
    Leicester Mercury
  • De Montfort Students Union
    Warriors Basketball Club
    6PM
    ITV Central
  • Trophy Parlour
    Inside Land
    Westleigh Developments
    Sileby Town CC
  • Gleeds
    Leicester Coritanian
    Health For Teens
    Loughborough Echo
  • UK Paintball
    British Heart Foundation
    Jersey Budd
    Rawlins
  • YHW
    Leicester City FC Community Trust
    Samworth Brothers
    Oak FM
  • Quorn Football Club
    Shepshed Lions Club - Community First Responders
    Gem 106
    Kasabian
  • Leicester City In the Community
    Soar Media
    David Wilson Homes
    CKI Martial Arts