Community public access defibrillator installed at Meriden Library

Residents in Meriden can now head to the local library for a good read and life-saving care thanks to West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Last month, the Trust donated a community public access defibrillator to Meriden Library after identifying a suitable location with Solihull Council to further increase the number of life-saving devices in public places in the borough.

The defibrillator, which can help restart the heart of someone in cardiac arrest, isn’t just there for the benefit of the library – it’s available for anyone in the local community in the event of such a medical emergency.

This is the first community defibrillator in Meriden to be publicly accessible round-the-clock and is housed in a cabinet kindly donated by a local resident.

Community First Responders from Fastaid Solihull have trained locals in basic first aid and how to use the defibrillator.

Andy Jeynes, the Trust’s Community Response Manager for Birmingham and Solihull, said: “Having a defibrillator in the village is a big thing for locals in Meriden and whilst the library isn’t necessarily an obvious place to come to for medical help, it’s in the heart of the community and easily accessible.

“It’s great to know that Solihull Council supports our initiative and understands the importance of having defibrillators in public places.

“This new addition to the library means that residents in Meriden have a life-saving piece of kit at their fingertips to help someone in cardiac arrest whilst an ambulance is on its way.”

Councillor Tony Dicicco, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities and Partnerships, said: “This is the first time that a defibrillator has been installed on a Council owned building and we are delighted to support this life changing initiative.”

Read more: https://officialwmas.wordpress.com/2016/07/25/meriden-library-has-novel-way-to-keep-hearts-pumping/