8 October 2013

Defibrilators Should Be Available In Rest Homes

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne says he is “very surprised” defibrillator equipment is not required to be available in rest homes “as a matter of course.”

Mr Dunne had raised the matter with Associate Minister of Health Jo Goodhew following a recent constituent enquiry.

Ms Goodhew has now advised him that “aged care service providers are not required to hold defibrillator equipment at their facilities. However, staff members trained in first aid are taught how to administer CPR.”

“I am certain this will come as a surprise to most people, and will be of concern to many,” he says.

“With defibrillators becoming widely available in places like shopping centres and major supermarkets nowadays, it seems strange that they are not virtually standard equipment in rest homes.

“While the Minister says that the Ministry of Health has no specific policy on the issue, the 2008 Health and Disability Standards oblige service providers to provide appropriate first aid and emergency treatment.

“I would have thought that providing defibrillator equipment within rest homes would come squarely within that standard,” he says.

Mr Dunne is calling for a review of the current policy to ensure the provision of defibrillator equipment at rest homes is required.

“If funding is an issue, I am certain there are many service clubs that would be more than happy to take on the provision of defibrillator equipment to local rest homes as a project,” he says.

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