New defibrillators accessible in the community

Nine defibrillators are now available to residents in our communities 24/7 thanks to an Association project with St John Scotland and WrightKerr All Trades.

The Association was presented with two new defibrillators and outdoor cabinets by the Lord Provost Dr Jacqueline McLaren and St John Scotland as part of an initiative to provide free public access defibrillators (PADs) directly into the Glasgow local communities which need them most. 

The new devices have been placed outside the courtyard building at 2 Westercommon Drive and outside the main office at 45 Firhill Rd and will give those in the local area 24-hour access to a defibrillator. 

Shona Stephen, Chief Executive of Queen’s Cross Housing Association, said: “We’re proud to be part of this initiative. Having defibrillators located within the community, alongside proper training, could be the difference between life and death.

“This project shows what’s possible when organisations work together to tackle inequality and put people first.”

St John Scotland has also provided six additional outdoor cabinets which will allow the Association to move its existing defibrillators from inside facilities at Dundasvale, Cedar, Westercommon multis, Hopehill Road and Cromwell Street to 24 hour accessible cabinets and provide an additional defibrillator outside the Hub at 472 Maryhill Road.

These were kindly fitted by WrightKerr All Trades as their contribution to the project. 

To support the local community, St John Scotland also provided training at the end of April in CPR and the use of defibrillators to local residents and Queens Cross staff. There was a great turnout from local residents across our communities.

Early access to a defibrillator can dramatically increase survival rates in cases of cardiac arrest, particularly when used alongside CPR before emergency services arrive. St John Scotland works in communities across the country to equip people with the skills and confidence to save lives.