[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Croí Heart & Stroke Charity, in collaboration with the HSE Social Care Services Galway, won the Innovative Project Category at the inaugural HSE Community Healthcare West Staff Recognition Awards on October 25, 2018.
The winning project has delivered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED) training to hundreds of family carers in Galway over the past seven years, and was recognised for providing a valuable, innovate service to Community Healthcare West.
Michelle Harrison, Manager, Carers Department, Community Healthcare West states: “Over two-thirds of all Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests occurred at home in Ireland in 2017, and survivors were more likely to have received bystander CPR. When a person collapses with sudden cardiac arrest, every second is vital. Performing CPR and using a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death in many cases. For every minute a person is collapsed without receiving CPR or defibrillation, the person’s chance of survival is reduced by up to 10 per cent per minute. After five minutes, the person’s chance of survival is reduced by up to 50 per cent. The role of lay persons including family carers in the internationally recognised ‘Chain of Survival’ is well acknowledged, and includes, early recognition, immediate effective CPR and rapid defibrillation. It takes a whole system to save a life, and this training initiative spearheaded by the HSE Carers Department and Croí, is integral to ensuring that family carers are key contributors to this whole system approach to save a life”.
“Galway is the only county in Ireland where specific funding for such life-saving training is provided to family carers. We’re delighted to partner with the HSE Carers Department, and grateful to see the work recognised at the HSE staff recognition awards. Congratulations to our excellent Croí instructors Catherine Sheridan and Sarah Molloy for their expertise and dedication to this project,” says Neil Johnson, Chief Executive, Croí.
Family carers can learn more about the training courses by contacting Croí at 091-544310.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4485″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row]