A new defibrillator has recently been installed outside a day service centre with the potential of saving lives.
Situated on Maes-Y-Cwm Street in Barry, Rondel House aids older people assessed with complex needs suffering from age related frailty, chronic illness, disability or dementia.
Accessible anytime day or night, the defibrillator is located at the entrance of the day centre close to amenities such as schools, Central Park, and populated residential area.
A defibrillator or AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is an easy to use device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest.
Rondel House applied for funding for the defibrillator from Welsh Government’s Free Defibrillator Scheme 2022, managed by Save a Life Cymru and the Welsh Ambulance Service. The heated storage cabinet and installation costs were raised by residents of Rondel House.
Haden Tipples, Save a Life Cymru Community Co-ordinator for Barry and South East Wales, said: “Cardiac arrests can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime, which is why friends, family and neighbours are critical to a person’s survival during cardiac arrest. Without CPR and defibrillation, the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest fall by 10% per minute.
“If you suspect someone is suffering from cardiac arrest, you should immediately call 999, and the operator will guide you on what steps to take, including where to locate your nearest defibrillator.
“You don’t need any previous training to use a defibrillator – it is a simple device to use. The defibrillator will tell you when to press the shock button and the operator will also be on hand to guide you through the process.
“Once you’ve made the call to 999, an ambulance will automatically be allocated to the patient, but it is essential that you continue CPR until the ambulance arrives.”
A defibrillator is an advanced medical tool that gives a jolt of energy to the heart, which can help restore the rhythm and get the heart beating normally again, and significantly increase the chance of survival.
In Wales, around 6000 people suffer from a cardiac arrest annually, and only 5% survive. The addition of the 24/7 defibrillator at Rondel House is an essential life-saving provision.
Cllr Eddie Williams, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health, said: “Rondel House is a prime location for a defibrillator, thanks to its central location, public use, and the fact that it lies in a populated residential area.
“The services provided by the Rondel House staff are second to none, and they’re work is vital in supporting vulnerable adults, and now the care and support they provide will extend even further to the local community.
“In the future, we as a Council hope more community centres, schools, and public spaces in the Vale will have publicly accessible defibrillators.”
There are currently a number of defibrillators across Barry. Other notable locations include Barry Library, Golau Caredig, The Buck, Cemetery Approach Community Centre, Pioneer Hall, Pontypridd Road, and Marco’s Café on Barry Island Promenade.
Miles Utting, Resource Centre Manager for Rondel House, said: “We are so proud of the work done by Rondel House staff and residents, as well as Save a Life Cymru to secure a life-saving defibrillator.
“At Rondel House, we provide a day service which offers care and support to residents in Barry and Penarth, particularly for those who suffer from dementia.
“As we are a key community centre and work closely with vulnerable adults, having a defibrillator at Rondel house is an invaluable asset which provides us with peace of mind should we ever need to use it.”
For further information regarding defibrillators, please contact:
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