Council wins ‘Cardiac Smart’ award

Public Health Team with the Gold Cardiac Smart award

Rochdale Borough Council’s public health team has won the North West Ambulance Service’s ‘Cardiac Smart’ Gold Award.

The Cardiac Smart award recognises those who are dedicated to raising awareness of heart health, basic life support and defibrillators.

Rochdale’s public health team had to fulfil a series of criteria to gain its gold award, including ensuring all staff were trained in CPR and defibrillator use, and installing two defibrillators at the council’s main building, Number One Riverside, Rochdale.

The public health team was also commended for its work in increasing survival rates by providing defibrillators and vital training at 20 other venues in the borough.

Nationally, around 30,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital each year. During 2014 there were 594 cardiac arrests in the borough of Rochdale, with victims’ chances of survival decreasing by 10% for every minute they do not receive treatment.

Councillor Janet Emsley, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said: “No one knows who will suffer from a cardiac arrest, but what we do know is quick use of CPR and defibrillation can increase the chances of survival.

"I am very proud of the work we have done to raise awareness of these lifesaving procedures as well as promoting the importance of healthy living.

"I would like to congratulate the team on this fantastic achievement and urge them to keep up their good work in ensuring a safer Rochdale for all.”

The team was given the award at a special ceremony in Lancashire on Friday 4 December.

Sara Harris, Chain of Survival Coordinator Lead for Greater Manchester, North West Ambulance Service said: “I have been enthused by Rochdale Council’s commitment to getting more people trained in CPR and defibrillator use as well as improving access to defibrillators across the borough. By doing this it gives a person a much better chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.

"The award from North West Ambulance Service is a testament to their hard work and they should be very proud.”