There are many defibrillators available in public places such as airports, shopping centres etc., which provide essential life saving equipment for members of the public to help when someone is in cardiac arrest.

In January this year a Defibrillator was installed outside the Buckley Pharmacy in The Street, Ashtead and it is now registered with the Emergency Services. Training has already been given to some 50 Ashtead residents and more is planned.

However, anyone can use the equipment in an emergency as the “speaking instructions” are built into the Defibrillator. In late 2015 Ashtead Good Neighbours became aware that The British Heart Foundation and the Department of Health were providing funds and running a national campaign to install Public Assess Defibrillators.

This was taken up by Marian Guess, the then Chair of Ashtead Good Neighbours, and subsequently her successor, Richard Garrard. With help from Councillor Chris Townsend, a grant of £500 was obtained from Surrey County Council and with Ashtead Good Neighbours making up the balance, the Defibrillator finally went live on the 12 January.

Thanks also go to Abdool Kureeman, Buckley Pharmacy, for not only allowing his premises to be used but also for meeting the costs of the installation.

The picture shows the Defibrillator outside Buckley Pharmacy together with, from left to right, Abdool Kureeman(Buckley Pharmacy), Chris Townsend(Surrey Councillor) and Richard Garrard (Ashtead Good Neighbours). 

Based on information supplied by Richard Garrard.