Home   News   Article

Life-saving defibrillator installed in Strathy village hall in Sutherland


By Iona M.J. MacDonald

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
At Strathy village hall with the defibrillator (from left) school nurse Janelle Spratt; Carol-Anne Farquhar, Strathy hall committee chairperson; and SSE Renewables community fund manager David Shearer. Picture: Mike Roper
At Strathy village hall with the defibrillator (from left) school nurse Janelle Spratt; Carol-Anne Farquhar, Strathy hall committee chairperson; and SSE Renewables community fund manager David Shearer. Picture: Mike Roper

Residents and visitors in Strathy and the surrounding area are now able to access a defibrillator thanks to funding received from SSE Renewables Strathy North Community Fund.

The life-saving device will be located at Strathy Village Hall which is used by residents and groups for meetings, community events and celebrations.

Carol-Anne Farquhar, Strathy hall committee chairperson, said: “Strathy hall is a focal point for community activity, and we are delighted to have been awarded a grant to install this potentially life-saving equipment. We hope that we will never find ourselves in a position where we have to use it, but it is really good to know that the device is here should it ever be needed.”

The new defibrillator will be available for use at all times. The idea of a defibrillator at the hall was suggested by local school nurse Janelle Spratt.

She said: “The nearest defibrillator is three miles away, and every minute delayed from receiving CPR and defibrillation reduces survival from cardiac arrest by 10 per cent. The defibrillator we have chosen is fully automated, which means the machine tells you exactly what to do, and delivers the shock when required.

"It is also important that people know how to use them, so we are holding demonstrations on how to operate the equipment on Saturday, July 2, between 10am and noon and Thursday, July 7, between 6pm and 7.15pm. Residents are welcome to pop in to Strathy Village Hall to see how to operate the machine and to learn basic first aid.”

SSE Renewables community fund manager David Shearer said: “Increasing the availability of defibrillators in rural areas helps to improve the survival rate of people who suffer a cardiac arrest, and we commend the hall committee for taking this initiative and the Strathy North Community Fund panel for making the award.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More