LOCAL campaign group STOP are investigating the possibility of running a first aid course for the Westbury community.
Discussions at the group’s regular meeting turned to a incident that took place recently when a visitor suffered a heart attack in the town and had to wait over an hour for a paramedic.
The STOP group feel that with forward planning and by involving members of the community, a first aid training course would help if an incident such as this were to happen again.
Alex Prowse, a member of the STOP group said, “It is important for some form of first aid to be administered as soon as possible to limit the damage that injuries may cause, especially cardiac problems.”
During the discussion, Wiltshire councillor Gordon King told the group that the area board had been given a demonstration by the South West Ambulance Service who supply and train communities with the use of defibrillators. These services can be costly so, if the group receives a positive response from the community, they plan to approach the area board for sponsorship for defibrillators to be installed in the town, as well as the training course that is needed.
Mayor of Westbury, councillor Stephen Andrews said, “I support the STOP campaign to hold a first aid course for people within Westbury. I also support their bid to the area board for a defibrillator and training.
“The tourism working group of the town council is meeting on Monday to discuss, amongst other things, providing a defibrillator in the redundant telephone box in the Market Place.”
The NHS did have voluntary community First Responders working in Westbury and STOP would like to hear from anyone who was involved with this initiative.
STOP will be looking for participants and sponsorship, so if you would like to sponsor the course or you wish to participate in the Emergency First Aid Scheme, please get in touch with a member of STOP on 01373 825785 or go to the website www.whitehorsewestbury.com
