Council and PHA fund defibrillator for sports clubs

The Leisure Services Department in Lisburn City Council has also provided emergency life-saving and defibrillator training to each of the Clubs. A minimum number of nominated persons within each Club are required to be trained to use this equipment, in line with the successful applications received for the defibrillators.

The following Clubs have received portable defibrillators: Derriaghy Cricket Club, Downshire Riffle Club, Lagan Valley Orienteers, Lisburn Racquets Club, Lisburn Rugby Club, Lisburn Taekwondo Club, Phoenix Basketball Club, Saints Boxing Club, St. Patricks GAC and The Judo Academy.

Councillor Thomas Beckett, Chairman of the Leisure Services Committee, said: “These machines can save lives and life is so precious. After discussing this matter the Council decided to make portable defibrillators available, with criteria being fulfilled, to local Sports Clubs. We want to make a difference to all kinds of support available to our Sporting Clubs in this, our European City of Sport year. I am delighted to have on board our partner, the PHA. We have also provided training on the use of defibrillators to the Clubs through our Community Sports Officer, Kevin Madden, who is fully qualified to provide this essential emergency life-saving training.

“The use of portable defibrillators outside of hospital was a concept pioneered by the late Professor Frank Pantridge, a Freeman of the City of Lisburn and world-renowned cardiologist. Lisburn City Council erected a bronze statue of the Professor several years ago and it is sited at Lagan Valley Island, the Council’s headquarters building. The continuance of the defibrillator is testament to the work of the late Professor Pantridge. It is better to have this equipment and not need it than to need it and not have it,” said Councillor Beckett.

Danny Sinclair, Senior Officer for Health & Social Wellbeing Improvement for the Public Health Agency said: “The Public Health Agency (PHA) recognises cardiovascular health as a key public health issue. We therefore commission a range of disease prevention initiatives to contribute to heart health. We also recognise the need to intervene promptly in cases of cardiac arrest. Research shows that applying a controlled shock within five minutes of collapse provides the best possible chances of survival. We are therefore delighted to work in partnership with Lisburn City Council to provide community Sports Clubs with defibrillators and the necessary training to enable their effective use”.