A new publicly accessible defibrillator has been installed in Newmains, giving residents round-the-clock access to potentially life-saving equipment in a cardiac emergency. The device is mounted on the exterior of Robin's Bar and is available 24 hours a day.
Partnership behind the installation
The defibrillator was delivered through a collaboration involving the staff of Clare Adamson MSP, Murdostoun councillor Robert McKendrick, both the outgoing and incoming Newmains Gala Day Committee, Robin's Bar, Jordan Electrics, and the British Heart Foundation's Community Defibrillator Fund.
Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson welcomed the installation, saying: “I’m absolutely delighted to see this new community defibrillator installed at Robins Bar. This has been a fantastic example of what can be achieved when local people, community organisations and elected representatives work together for the benefit of the whole community.”
Councillor Robert McKendrick added: “This has been a genuine community partnership, and I’m delighted we’ve been able to help deliver something that will make such a positive difference. Having a publicly accessible defibrillator in the heart of Newmains will provide reassurance to local residents and visitors alike and ensure that lifesaving equipment is available when every second counts.”
Community effort and lasting legacy
A spokesperson for the Newmains Gala Day Committee said: “We’re delighted to see this project come to fruition. It has been a real team effort involving both the outgoing and incoming Gala Day Committees, and we’re proud to have worked alongside the MSP, her office staff, Councillor McKendrick, Brian Jordan and Robin’s Bar to bring this important community asset to Newmains.”
David McColgan, Head of the British Heart Foundation Scotland, highlighted the importance of community defibrillators and said: “When someone has a cardiac arrest, every second counts, and quick access to a defibrillator gives someone the best possible chance of survival before emergency help arrives. We’ve made great progress in placing more defibrillators in areas that need them, but there’s still so many communities, including some of the most deprived parts of Scotland, which are still too far away from the nearest lifesaving device that can have devastating consequences.”
Heart health in Scotland
Around 3,200 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Scotland every year. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, the chance of survival falls by around 10%. Immediate CPR and the rapid use of a defibrillator before the arrival of the Scottish Ambulance Service can significantly improve survival rates, underlining the importance of ensuring communities have access to publicly available defibrillators.
