SOUTH Down MP Margaret Ritchie (SDLP) has written to the Minister for Health to call for defibrillators to be placed in public buildings.
Ms Ritchie said: “Defibrillators can make the difference between life and death, and it is important that they are placed in all public buildings for easy access, when required in an emergency.
“The Minister has advised me that the Department of Health has developed a Community Resuscitation Strategy for Northern Ireland, and this draft strategy is now being finalised, after a period of public consultation.
“The promotion of public access defibrillation will be an integral part of this strategy, and it will focus on how to improve the availability of, and access to, the automated external defibrillators that are in place across Northern Ireland.
“I will monitor this strategy as the benefits of improved access to defibrillators in public areas will be extremely useful.”
