P-06-1384 Introduce legislation where it is mandatory to have an defibrillator in workplaces and sport clubs - Correspondence from the Petitioner to the Committee, 02 May 2024

Jack Sargeant MS

Chair

Petitions Committee

Welsh Government

Dear Jack Sargeant MS

Petition P-06-1384

To INTRODUCE LEGISLATION WHERE IT IS MANDATORY TO HAVE A DEFIBRILLATOR IN WORKPLACES AND SPORTS CLUBS

Thank you for forwarding us the letter dated 26^th April from Health Minister, Eluned Morgan AS/MS, in reply to our above Petition.

Firstly, may we say how disappointed we are, yet again, made to feel we have hit a ‘brick wall’ in support from the Welsh Government when we endeavour to improve heart health in Wales.

Referring to the Minister’s letter: please note, I was the original Chairman of Save a Life Cymru (SALC) when it was formed by the Welsh Government, so I am fully aware of the set-up and aims of this organisation. Unfortunately, I had to stand down from this position due to a conflict of interest in also being Chairman of Calon Hearts charity. However, I remain a stakeholder and attend online meetings. We do not feel that SALC has been fully effective in promoting greater awareness of defibrillators. We believe that Calon Hearts, via fundraising and the generosity by way of donations from the general public, achieves more than SALC has done. To date, in the 12 years since Calon Hearts was founded, we have installed over 28,700 defibrillators in communities across Wales, trained over 99,270 people in CPR and screened over 16,520 hearts for potentially life-threatening conditions. An impressive achievement, we are sure that the Minister and Members will agree. Moreover, a greater achievement than SALC.

Going back to the Petition, we would remind the Minister that in Italy and some other European countries, defibrillators are a mandatory requirement to be installed in sports clubs. We would like the Welsh Government to be more pro-active and take the UK lead on this initiative.

We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to work more closely with the Welsh Government and would welcome a meeting with the Minister to discuss.

We look forward to your favourable response and discussion at the Petitions Committee on 6^th May.

Yours sincerely

Sharon Owen

Charity and Fundraising Director

CALON HEARTS