Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tá fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach seo ar maidin. I am here this morning to seek an update on the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest strategy that we are beginning to roll out throughout the length and breadth of the country. As the Minister of State knows, many community groups across the length and breadth of the land have worked and fundraised hard to ensure that their communities have access to defibrillators or automated external defibrillators, AEDs, in the instance of cardiac arrest. AEDs are portable, life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly.

The National Ambulance Service has a list of locations of more than 2,000 AEDs on its national computer-aided dispatch system, which it can use to advise emergency callers, although this is in its infancy. Sudden cardiac arrest is among the world's leading causes of death. Having access in the community to such devices is vital. For each minute defibrillation is delayed, the odds of survival are reduced by approximately 10%. Thus, having access to an AED and, more importantly, knowing how to use one is critical. As the Minister of State said here the last time I raised this issue, "Research has shown us it takes an entire system to save a life, which is why a strategic whole-nation approach is planned. Improving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival is essential". The national out-of-hospital cardiac arrest steering group was established to develop and implement a strategy to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes in Ireland. A strategy is very much needed because out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a significant source of mortality and morbidity, with wide variation in reported incidence and outcomes globally. The voluntary efforts by communities deserve great credit, but they need to be backed up by a strategic system rather than an ad hocaffair. A nationwide approach to improving the strategy is absolutely essential.

I spoke the last time in the House about Buncrana Garda station, with which the Acting Chair will be very familiar, in Buncrana Garda district. The National Ambulance Service provided cardiac first response training to members of that Garda district. All of the members took it up and, as a result, the National Ambulance Service installed a defibrillator in every single Garda vehicle, including a motorcycle, in that district.

Many schools have also installed AEDs and have trained their staff in first aid. There is a clear ambition in the community to be able to respond to emergency situations. We need a culture right across the board, that is, in the community; schools; businesses; transport; and hospitality. There are plenty of examples of excellent resuscitation practice across the country that should be looked at with regard to national implementation, with the ultimate aim of improving survival outcomes nationwide. I mentioned how in Buncrana district, An Garda Síochána has rolled out defibrillators in all of its vehicles, including motorcycles. I hope the Minister of State will have an update as to where that is at countrywide, not just regarding the Garda fleet but also fire stations and their vehicles. They should also be equipped. In many instances in rural Ireland, there are, unfortunately, delays with ambulance response times. These Garda vehicles and fire personnel are in every community and each county throughout the country. It is important this strategy is progressed as quickly as possible because every second counts when it comes to trying to save a life.