Hartlepool health officials pledge £10,000 to provide defibrillators

A scheme to install lifesaving defibrillators across Hartlepool has received a boost after town health officials pledged £10,000 to provide more of the machines.
Defibs4Hartlepool members, Middleton Grange Shopping Centre security staff Adam Goodwin, left, and Ray Hughes, right, with centre manager Mark Rycraft, with a defibrillatorDefibs4Hartlepool members, Middleton Grange Shopping Centre security staff Adam Goodwin, left, and Ray Hughes, right, with centre manager Mark Rycraft, with a defibrillator
Defibs4Hartlepool members, Middleton Grange Shopping Centre security staff Adam Goodwin, left, and Ray Hughes, right, with centre manager Mark Rycraft, with a defibrillator

Hartlepool’s Public Health department has allocated the funding to identify where the equipment needs to be installed and respond to public requests.

Public Health, within Hartlepool Borough Council, works with the charity Defibs4Hartlepool group to improve coverage across the borough.

From left: Carl Sweeting, vice chairman of Seaton Carew FC, Bernie Kelly, president of Seaton Carew FC and Seaton ward councillor Paul ThompsonFrom left: Carl Sweeting, vice chairman of Seaton Carew FC, Bernie Kelly, president of Seaton Carew FC and Seaton ward councillor Paul Thompson
From left: Carl Sweeting, vice chairman of Seaton Carew FC, Bernie Kelly, president of Seaton Carew FC and Seaton ward councillor Paul Thompson
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Mark Rycraft, one of the founders of Defibs4Hartlepool, said of the new funding: “It is going to make a massive improvement to the cause because there are locations in Hartlepool that are quite remote and don’t have a defibrillator, the Headland being one of them.

“It needs one as soon as possible.”

Previous Public Health funding has provided eight of the units and other equipment at community locations including Greatham Community Centre, Owton manor Community Centre and Hartlepool Civic Centre.

One has also been installed at Hartlepool Marina lock office and a storage cabinet to provide 24/7 access at Seaton Sports and Social Club.

From left: Carl Sweeting, vice chairman of Seaton Carew FC, Bernie Kelly, president of Seaton Carew FC and Seaton ward councillor Paul ThompsonFrom left: Carl Sweeting, vice chairman of Seaton Carew FC, Bernie Kelly, president of Seaton Carew FC and Seaton ward councillor Paul Thompson
From left: Carl Sweeting, vice chairman of Seaton Carew FC, Bernie Kelly, president of Seaton Carew FC and Seaton ward councillor Paul Thompson

Mr Rycraft added: “Our remit is primarily to get them into schools but also communities as well.

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“Having them in the community means they are available 24/7.

“It just improves life safety at the end of the day. If someone can be attached to one while having a cardia arrest, within minutes their chances of surviving are greater.”

Recent requests for support have bene made by the Fisherman’s Arms at the Headland and Throston Primary School.

Louise Wallace, Hartlepool’s director of public health, said: “Clearly it is still a programme in demand.”