Patients' group purchases new defibrillator

The Patients Participation Group at Kingfisher Family Practice in Lancing

Although the surgery already had a defibrillator, a vital piece of life-saving equipment, it was at the end of its lifespan and new parts were unavailable.

Maria Howells, joint practice manager, said: “Automatic external defibrillators, or AED as they are known, are small computerised devices that analyse heart rhythms and provide the shock needed for defibrillation.

“Through electrodes placed on a patient’s chest, a processor inside the AED analyses the victim’s heart. The machine will not shock unless it is necessary. AEDs are designed to shock only when VF (ventricular fibrillation), a common cause of cardiac arrest, is detected.”

The group is made up of patients from the practice who want to get involved and influence decision making on local healthcare issues regarding the surgery and the wider West Sussex area.

It raises funds for the benefit of the patients of the practice by putting on events such as garden parties and raffles throughout the year.

Maria added: “The Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group has engagement events throughout the year and if patients want to get involved in being part of either the Kingfisher Patients Group or with patient engagement at the clinical commissioning group, they can email [email protected].

“The doctors and staff at Kingfisher would like to thank the patients group for their continued support and efforts in raising the funds for invaluable pieces of equipment such as this.”

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