50 Heartstart instructor volunteers are going to be awarded specially designed badges in appreciation of their dedication and service in teaching emergency lifesaving skills in the community and schools.
Heartstart is an initiative to teach young people and adults what to do in a life-threatening emergency. The two-hour training session teaches people to learn new skills such as how to recognise a cardiac arrest, perform Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). It also includes basic emergency life support such as recognition of a heart attack and choking in adults, children and babies.
Heartstart and Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) work closely to recognise the value of teaching these life support skills to members of the public, schools, workplaces and in local communities. The programme has been a long-standing successful training service spanning over 26 years. Their accomplishment is due to the dedication and commitment of Heartstart coordinators and volunteers involved in delivering the courses.
Experienced Heartstart coordinators and volunteers provide training in their own time to communities and schools throughout Argyll and Bute. Ten of these volunteers have been providing vital life-saving training and services for over 25 years, with a further 40 volunteers delivering training for 5 years and more. All of these volunteers will be receiving the designed badge in recognition of their valuable service and their dedication to the Heartstart project and Argyll and Bute communities.
Samantha Campbell, Health Improvement Principal for NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership said: “On behalf of Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership I would like to thank all our past and present Heartstart volunteers for their dedication delivering this valuable training and across Argyll and Bute communities.
“The life-saving training empowers people with skills and confidence to help save a life while waiting for emergency services.”
Angela McNeil, Heartstart Nurse Lead and training supervisor said: “It is a privilege to work with all the Heartstart volunteers; they are a very strong, motivated group of instructors who try to train as many people as possible. The badge is a gesture of our appreciation and acknowledgement for all their hard work and lives saved over the past 26 years.”
Training sessions are held throughout Argyll and Bute and the islands. If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone about the Heartstart programme or volunteering:
email angela.mcneil@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
See further information on Heartstart (including contacts) at the Living Well in Argyll and Bute website.