A Newtown supermarket has installed a defibrillator at its store in case of emergencies.
Tesco has revealed it is installing the defibrillator at its store on Pool Road as well as its Welshpool store as part of a roll out to its 907 UK shops.
Statistics from the British Heart Foundation show that over 30,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital in the UK every year, but less than one in ten survive.
For every minute without CPR and defibrillation, a person’s chance of survival decreases by around 10 percent.
729 Tesco Extra and Superstores all over the country will be fitted with defibrillators as part of the initiative, and the retailer also plans to install the equipment in all of its 178 Metro stores over the coming weeks.
In Powys, this means that the Newtown Tesco store will provide this vital equipment in the local community.
Tony Hoggett, Tesco UK Chief Operating Officer said: “We are always looking for ways to help the communities we serve, and we know that having a defibrillator to hand can mean saving the life of someone suffering a cardiac arrest. This initiative has the potential to make a real difference to customers and colleagues all over the country.”
Sara Askew, BHF Head of Survival, said: “If you have a cardiac arrest in the UK today you have just a one in ten chance of survival. More people could be saved if more people had the skills and confidence to perform CPR and more defibrillators were available and accessible in public places.
“We are delighted that Tesco is supporting BHF’s Nation of Lifesavers campaign by making public access defibrillators available in all its larger stores. Knowing vital CPR skills and having access to a defibrillator can often be the difference between life and death.”
Gerard Rothwell, Welsh Ambulance Service National Public Access Defibrillator Manager commented: “We are delighted that Tesco is installing the defibrillators at its larger stores across Wales. This is a fantastic initiative and example to all businesses and shows a genuine concern and wish to ensure its customers and staff are given every chance of survival should they suffer a cardiac arrest in store.”
Tesco is working to improve the health of the nation through its partnership with Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation. The partnership supports new initiatives that will help people lead healthier, longer and more active lives.
