Guildhall puts shoppers' health first

Exeter’s Guildhall Shopping Centre is making the city a safer place to shop with the help of the nation’s leading first aid charity.

The centre’s management team has purchased a portable Automated External Defibrillator (AEDs) – life saving equipment that can shock the heart to restart it after a cardiac arrest – from St John Ambulance.

And first aiders have been given training to ensure they can respond quickly in a life-threatening emergency.

“This is just one of several measures we have in place to ensure the safety and security of our customers, and we are delighted to be partnering with St John Ambulance on this initiative,” said the centre’s manager, Andrew McNeilly.

He added:  “We hope that the equipment will never need to be used, but by putting in place the AED and making sure our staff are properly trained in its use if it does need to be put into operation it will have the potential to save lives.”

In the UK, one person suffers a cardiac arrest every two minutes and as many as one in three will die before they reach hospital.

But survival rates increase by more than 50 per cent if a defibrillator is used within the first four minutes.

John Cavanagh, South West Regional Director for St John Ambulance’s Commercial Training Division, said:

"We welcome how seriously everyone at the Guildhall Shopping Centre is taking first aid, because access to an AED can help someone be the difference between a life lost and life saved. ‘Thanks to this investment and our expert training, nobody at the centre will be helpless in an emergency."

To purchase an AED or book first aid and other safety training courses, call 0844 770 4800 or visit www.sja.org.uk/training