2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:32 pm on 10 July 2018.

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Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 2:32, 10 July 2018

Jack Sargeant raises two very important issues. There isn't a specific programme for schools to have access to a defibrillator as such, but all schools, of course, should have arrangements in place for dealing with emergency situations. As part of the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest plan, which we published in June 2017, work is under way with partners to map out the organisations that provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation training within communities across Wales. We have effective partnership working, which will mean that people of all ages in Wales are not only given every opportunity to survive a cardiac arrest, but are also provided with the CPR skills and resources, like defibrillators, to enable them to assist in saving a life. And, as Jack Sargeant's just pointed out, the provision of defibrillators in appropriate public places, including rugby clubs, combined with investing in first responder training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and ensuring the fastest possible ambulance response times, does significantly increase the chance of survival and recovery for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. 

The Welsh ambulance service and third sector organisations are working with schools across Wales to promote CPR and the use of defibrillators through initiatives such as Shocktober and Restart a Heart Day. There were 53 secondary schools involved in Restart a Heart last year and, in total, 10,622 secondary school pupils were trained in CPR. Thirty-two primary schools took part in Shocktober 2017, and 2,146 pupils were taught CPR as a result of that. They also covered when to ring 999 and what to do in emergencies such as choking as well. So, it's a very important issue and we look forward to seeing the extension of that this year as part of the campaign.