WEST Midlands Ambulance Service has been developing a unique project to help identify where public access defibrillators are located.

Duncan Parsonage, WMAS Community Response Manager for South Staffordshire, came up with the idea and has since been working to install signage throughout the West Midlands Region.

Talking about the project Duncan said: “Whilst working out in the community I became increasing aware that a number of organisations hold public access defibrillators, however, the community were unaware of their location.

“The simple idea of displaying a sign on all premises that hold defibrillators will help the public easily identify where they can access this life saving piece of equipment, should the need ever arise."

There are over 1900 defibrillators in the West Midlands.

Each location and it respective sign holds a unique identification number, which tallies up with database held within West Midlands Ambulance Service.

This database can be used by the Emergency Operations Centre and allows call takers and dispatchers to be aware of defib locations.

These defibrillators could then be used by a member of the public, on a patient, prior to the arrival of ambulance personnel.

The project has supported by Cardiac Science and Lichfield District Safer Safer Community Partnership who have sponsored the printing of the signage.

West Midlands Ambulance Service is currently appealing to any organisations who hold defibrillators but are not aware if they are on the database or have no identification signage to contact them via email: cfrs@wmas.nhs.uk or by contacting Duncan Parsonage on 07793 040 321.