Call for action over 'out of order' defibrillators

Helen Radcliffe, 76, is now back at home after the incident, her daughter Lynsey Clague said

A woman who found the nearest defibrillator to her home was not working when her mother was having a medical emergency has called for better maintenance of the devices on the Isle of Man.

Lynsey Clague, whose mother has a neurological condition that leaves her prone to choking, said her husband had found the lifesaving kit in Bride out of order when he tried to access it on 11 September.

The defibrillator had been donated by a local charity, with the village's local authority responsible for its maintenance.

Ms Clague said, while her mother was "home now and doing incredibly well", it was important that "we make sure systems and procedures are put in place so this does not happen again".

She said she had contacted the emergency services after her 76-year-old mother, Helen Radcliffe, had become unwell during the early hours of the morning and was advised to get hold of a public defibrillator.

The machines are used to give an electric shock to restart a patient's heart when they are in cardiac arrest.

Her husband Steve Clague had gone to the nearest device, which was located outside Bride Tea Rooms, she said, but had found it had been "out of order" since 21 August.

Ms Clague said although her mother had received treatment from paramedics who had arrived at her home, the situation had highlighted the need for the devices to be kept in working order.

"I think the outcome really could have been very different and we are just lucky that no one has been harmed," she said.

"It is really disappointing not just for ourselves but for the whole community."

Public defibrillators are positioned in many communities across the island

In correspondence sent to a local MHK, the head of the island's ambulance service confirmed the device had been put back in service later the same day.

However, he said only 30% of registered public defibrillators were available to be used, with many showing alerts for depleted batteries or expired pads.

The ambulance service was beginning a "focused effort in each community to inspect Automated External Defibrillators", he added.

Bride Commissioners and Manx Care have been contacted for a comment.

The device was provided to Bride Commissioners by Craig's Heart Strong Foundation, which raises funds to donate the machines to groups across the island.

Chairman Paul Healey said although the charity funded the kits, those taking them on were responsible for their maintenance.

"The people who sign up as guardians need to understand the importance of that position because they are signing up to look after this important piece of equipment," he said.

"If you have got a defibrillator and it is operational, it can save a life."