A defibrillator has been donated to Benbecula GP surgery thanks to a fundraising drive.
The equipment – for use used if someone suffered a heart attack but a doctor wasn’t immediately available – was paid for through the efforts of staff from the Scottish Salmon Company.
Events organised for the Sandpiper Trust, raised over £5,000 for a campaign to improve immediate emergency care in remote and rural areas.
The cash will pay for five defibrillators, with the Benbecula equipment the first to be delivered.
Doctor Kate Dawson, of the Benbecula Medical Practice, said the equipment could save lives.
She said: “Heart attacks can happen at any time but there won’t always be an ambulance defibrillator in the vicinity.
“By having an out of hours defibrillator to hand as part of the emergency kit, those with proper training will be able to provide additional emergency help when it is most needed.
“A few minutes can sometimes being the difference between life and death, meaning the equipment is a welcome addition to the island’s health service.”
The money was raised by 90 members of staff as part of the Scottish Salmon Company’s commitment to working with the communities where it operates.
Charity effort brings medical lifeline to Benbecula
24 August 2015