Malcolm shows Caroline the defibrillator at Brighton station

I called for the installation of more Public Access Defibrillators throughout the city recently, meeting with Malcolm Legg of the South East Coast Ambulance Service to talk about what can be done.

A defibrillator is a life-saving machine can give the heart an electric shock in cases of cardiac arrest.

Public Access Defibrillators have been shown to save lives, playing a crucial role as part of a community health response in crisis situations.

I’m keen that this equipment should be more readily accessible to people locally.

Defibrillators have already been installed at a number of locations around the city.

For example, the Sussex Heart Charity donated eight to Brighton & Hove Albion when the club moved into the Amex community stadium.

However, only two defibrillators in the Brighton Pavilion constituency are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

These are at the train station and the police station.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service has identified many other sites where Public Access Defibrillators could be installed.

These include the North Laines and Churchill Square shopping centre, which can be difficult for ambulances to access.

SECAmb is working with lifeguards and with local security companies to find ways of utilising their skills and resources for earlier lifesaving intervention, and is planning a Community First Responder Team for the city.

I look forward to further supporting their excellent work.