New funding for defibrillators in West Norfolk
£50,000 is being made available to fit more defibs
New funding is being made available to fit more defibrillators across West Norfolk.
The potentially life-saving devices can be used to treat people suffering cardiac arrest while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
A £50,000 funding scheme has now been launched by West Norfolk Council to pay for more defibrillators.
Parish and community groups across the area are being invited to apply for the grants, which will fund the purchase, fitting and maintenance of the defibs.
Leader of West Norfolk Council, Stuart Dark MBE, said:
“This is great news for people across west Norfolk. As the fifth-largest borough in the country, covering a quarter of Norfolk, we know the challenges faced by all public services in meeting the needs of communities spread across such a large area.
“This move helps us to both support each other better at times of medical emergency and support the blue-light services, who are dealing with unprecedented demand.
“We know how important community defibrillators are: in 2021 we helped to fund the provision of a defibrillator outside the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton and within months it was used to help an audience member after he unfortunately suffered a heart attack during a performance there."
Applications for the scheme open on February 1, with a maximum grant of £1000 available per defibrillator.
Applicants will be able to buy more expensive defibs, but will be expected to make up the difference themselves.