Update your status on defibrillator database

Crescent Purchasing Consortium would like to echo the UK Government's message on maintaining an accurate database of defibrillators - and we encourage member institutions to update their status to help save lives, making crucial clarifications.

A month ago, the DfE's Buying for Schools team, in support of the British Heart Foundation, highlighted The Circuit, a UK-wide network of life-saving defibrillators. Over 16,000 school defibs are listed on The Circuit, which informs the wider community the location of defibrillators nearby. Of course, the success of such a platform is dependent, in many ways, on the support of those updating it and a person in dire need of a defib may not know it was there at all, were it not listed. As such, CPC recommends all its members register their defibrillators on The Circuit. It could well be the difference between life and death for someone.

In addition to this, Buying for Schools made reference to an important point, that being the thought that some defibrillators may be temporarily unavailable to access when schools, academies, colleges or universities close their doors between terms.

By updating The Circuit with the dates your premises is closed (and your defib is consequently unavailable), 999 callers are less likely to be sent to a closed building. In cardiac and related emergencies, time is of the essence, thus it is imperative people are only sent to locations where the on-site defibrillator is available to use. Let The Circuit know your situation and update them if it changes. More on the defibrillator database itself can be found on its website, including some Frequently Asked Questions.

CPC reiterates the importance of effective defibrillator use/availability and thanks all members in support of this initiative.