Defibrillator access rated poor in Dumfries areas

TWO areas of Dumfries have some of the lowest access to defibrillators in Scotland, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Lochside and Lincluden have been identified by the charity among its 12 ‘priority’ areas where access to public defibrillator is sparse.

The average distance to the nearest public access defibrillator in both areas is 542 metres with the average retrieval time being six minutes and 21 seconds.

As a result, community groups in both areas are being invited to apply for a free defibrillator from a Community Defibrillator Funding Programme.

Successful applicants will receive a defibrillator and cabinet, and installation costs will be covered where required. Future replacement parts will be free of charge when they expire or are used in an emergency for up to ten years.

David McColgan, head of British Heart Foundation Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be relaunching our community defibrillator scheme to reach the areas where we can make a difference and save lives from cardiac arrest.”

Galloway and West MSP Finlay Carson supports the scheme and said: “Research shows that more areas of Dumfries could benefit from life-saving defibrillators, with Lincluden identified as a defibrillator desert for registered devices.

“Defibrillators are critical in cardiac emergencies. Every minute without treatment reduces the chance of survival by around ten per cent. These devices can restart the heart, are straightforward to use, and often make the difference between life and death before paramedics arrive.”

Mr Carson, who survived a heart attack in 2024, added: “I was lucky, and didn’t need a defibrillator, but it certainly makes you much more aware of how time is of the essence.

“You never know when the day will come when a defibrillator could save a life. It’s unacceptable that parts of our community are going without this vital protection. I’m urging every community group: if you have a defibrillator, register it now. If you don’t, please apply for funding. Together we can make sure that no one across Dumfries and Galloway is left without access to this life-saving equipment.”

To apply for a free defibrillator visit: bhf.org.uk/fundeddefib.