We are installing lifesaving defibrillators across our innovation centres, with a plan for all centres (where possible) to have the devices fitted within the next six months.
So far, 22 of our innovation centres now have defibrillators installed. These include Harwell Innovation Centre in Oxford, Ocean Village Innovation Centre in Southampton, and The Catalyst in Newcastle.
A defibrillator is a device that gives a high-energy shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest to help restore their normal heart rhythm. According to research by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), there are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year, and currently, less than 1 in 10 survive.
Jo Stevens, our Managing Director, said:
“Sadly, many of us will witness a cardiac arrest in our lifetime, but defibrillators can make all the difference to survival rates. As our innovation centres are very much part of the communities in which they are located, we felt it was important to work with the British Heart Foundation to provide our customers, staff, and local people with access to this potentially lifesaving equipment.”
To support our local communities, we are registering our defibrillators on The Circuit - the national defibrillator network developed by BHF in partnership with Resuscitation Council UK, St John Ambulance, and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives. This means 999 call handlers can direct bystanders to the nearest registered defibrillator while they wait for an ambulance.
Alison Mackie, a fundraising manager from BHF, explained:
“We are delighted that Oxford Innovation Space has taken the step of installing defibrillators in its centres, and we hope that more organisations will follow suit. A defibrillator in a workplace or community venue can save a life if someone has a cardiac arrest, as every minute without CPR and a defibrillator reduces survival chances by up to 10%.”
As a people-first business, we are fully committed to supporting the well-being of our employees and customers. As well as this initiative with BHF, our business support staff have recently undertaken Mental Health First Aid training to support business owners with their personal well-being as well as business challenges.
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