Every second counts: Tackling inequalities in resuscitation a report from the Resuscitation Council (RCUK), one of our sister organisations involved with Brentford’s Heart of West London initiative, warns that socio-economic deprivation, a person’s ethnicity, or cultural background shouldn’t determine whether a person is more or less likely to survive a cardiac arrest.
Heart of West London is a long-term partnership and commitment bringing together key players in the cardiac health world to make a difference. We are Brentford FC, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Resuscitation Council UK and A-K-A Day.
The report, launched today at the Houses of Parliament, compiles important evidence on inequalities in resuscitation, and shows the huge disparities between rich and poor, and people from different cultural backgrounds, when facing the ultimate medical emergency.
RCUK commissioned the research to understand the views and expectations of people from certain ethnic minority groups in England, around learning and performing CPR. The study found that seven in 10 people didn’t know where their nearest defib was - this is in contrast to the wider UK population where six in 10 did know.
Early defibrillation can more than double survival rates, yet defibs are lacking in areas where people from ethnic minority backgrounds live – over half (56 per cent) of these areas have no defibs in comparison to 31 per cent of areas where predominantly white British people live.
James Cant, CEO at RCUK, said: “A lack of public awareness that anyone can use a defib, as well as not knowing where these devices can be located, is a major obstacle to increasing the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest.
“Our research suggests that this is a particular issue among many minority ethnic groups. This is unfair as it further widens existing health inequalities. To address this, we must ensure everyone, everywhere has bystander CPR training that is tailored to their needs and they understand that a defibrillator is there for them to use.”
At the time, Brentford director Nity Raj commented: “I’m so pleased that we have been able to install two new, publicly available defibrillators outside the stadium. When an AED is needed, every second counts so it makes me very proud to know this will save the seconds that will save lives.
“Adding defibs is one of many things we are doing as part of our Heart of West London initiative to make a difference to cardiac health in our community and there will be more to tell you about soon.”
Many people from ethnic minority backgrounds across the UK are also facing disparities to accessing CPR training - just 22 per cent received training in the last 10 years, compared with 41 per cent of the UK population in the same period.
Nearly a third (32 per cent) said they have had first or second-hand experience of cardiac arrest, yet six in 10 (59 per cent) said they lacked the knowledge and skills to perform CPR.
60 per cent said they have never been trained in using a defibrillator, and a third (34 per cent) mentioned a lack of awareness of training opportunities.
Staff at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust have recently completed RCUK’s Basic Life Support Instructor course to teach life-saving skills to as many people possible in the local area.
And earlier this month, the club shared the story of Raymond Harrison, in the first episode of Series 2 of Thousands of Stories - The Moment.
Ray is a lifelong Bees supporter who experienced a cardiac arrest at Gtech Community Stadium before our fixture against Newcastle last season.
Thanks to our stewards and medical support staff performing CPR, Raymond’s life was saved. In The Moment, Raymond explains how his life has changed since that day.
The report has also called on Governments across the UK to work with schools, local authorities, and the Department for Education, to ensure CPR training is being carried out in an equitable manner across all schools.
CPR training must be tailored to meet the language, cultural, and educational needs of all learners, to create a generation of lifesavers in currently underserved communities.
Read the full report from RCUK and learn more about their campaign.