People across London [see regions and branches in Notes to Editors] now have access to potentially life-saving defibrillators and bleed control kits outside1 Nationwide branches in their communities as part of a major UK-wide rollout.
Nationwide, which has the UK’s largest branch network, has installed the publicly accessible equipment at 33 branches across London1, giving communities access to emergency equipment 24 hours a day, seven days a week2..
The installations form part of Nationwide’s commitment to equip all 605 of its branches across the UK with defibrillators and bleed control kits by the end of the year, with Virgin Money branches set to follow.
The initiative is thought to be the UK’s largest-ever combined rollout of its kind and is being done in partnership with Visa, with St John Ambulance working alongside Nationwide to offer life-saving training for colleagues and local communities.
The need for the equipment, and training to use it, is highlighted by Nationwide’s research, which shows that 84 per cent of people across London say they would feel safer knowing life-saving equipment is available in their local area. However, just 23 per cent say they would feel very confident using a defibrillator in an emergency. The research also highlights that 86 per cent believe there should be more public access to defibrillators and 91 per cent support greater public access to bleed control kits.
Everyone who works at a Nationwide branch across London also has access to the opportunity to complete specialist training developed by St John Ambulance – ensuring colleagues understand how to use a defibrillator, can respond to a severe bleeding incident and carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
First aid advice on how to respond to a severe bleed, cardiac arrest, and how to use a defibrillator and what to do in the event of a severe bleed, is available on St John Ambulance’s website.
To help build public confidence, Nationwide is also working with St John Ambulance to deliver ‘Heart of Community’ volunteer-led sessions sharing life-saving skills to provide local people with the knowledge and confidence to use a defibrillator, treat a severe bleed in an emergency with and without using a bleed control kit, and carry out CPR.
Since the UK-wide rollout began in June, 48 defibrillators have already been activated demonstrating the importance of the initiative.
Mandy Beech, Director of Retail Services at Nationwide, said: “Our research shows people in London value having local access to life-saving equipment, but many wouldn’t feel confident using it in an emergency. That’s why we’re not just installing defibrillators and bleed kits. Every Nationwide branch colleague in London has the opportunity to receive first-aid training, and we’re working with St John Ambulance to help more people gain the skills that could help save a life.”
Professor Andrew Hartle, Chief Medical Officer at St John Ambulance, said: “Every minute counts in an emergency, and having access to a defibrillator or bleed control kit can make a vital difference before the ambulance service arrives.
“By increasing the availability of this life-saving equipment and giving more people the confidence to use it, we can help communities be better prepared to respond when it matters most.
“We’re proud to be working with Nationwide and Visa on an initiative that is helping put the power of first aid into more people’s hands.”
Paul Kohler, MP for Wimbledon, said: “I was pleased to visit Nationwide’s Wimbledon branch earlier this year and learn more about the vital role it plays in supporting local residents. I’m delighted to see the branch taking another important step by installing a publicly accessible defibrillator and bleed control kit.
These life-saving resources could make a critical difference in an emergency, giving members of the public immediate access to equipment that can help save lives while the emergency services are on their way.”
