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Liverpool City Council has introduced a new initiative aimed at enhancing schools’ responses to cardiac emergencies throughout the city. The first training session under this programme was held today, Tuesday 19 May, at Rice Lane Primary School. This effort unites several partners, including Public Health, the Education department, School Improvement Liverpool (SIL), the Oliver King Foundation, and the Council’s Health and Safety Unit, all working to make sure every school is well-equipped, trained, and ready to act promptly in cases of cardiac arrest.
Although cardiac arrest in children is relatively rare, such incidents can happen unexpectedly, making the accessibility of defibrillators vital. This project follows recent national research from the University of Warwick, which revealed that in 2024 there were 617 cardiac arrests in individuals under 18 across the UK—equivalent to roughly 12 cases per week—with only one in eight of these children surviving. These statistics underscore the critical importance of quick intervention through immediate CPR and defibrillator use.
The initiative holds special significance for Liverpool due to the tragic death of 12-year-old Oliver King in 2012, who suffered a cardiac arrest after a swimming race at King David High School. In the aftermath, Oliver’s father, Mark King, established the Oliver King Foundation to advocate for better access to defibrillators and CPR training in schools. Building on this foundation, the new city-wide programme aims to evaluate the presence of defibrillators and the number of CPR-trained staff in Liverpool schools, ensure defibrillators are registered with the national system known as The Circuit for easy location by emergency services, deliver comprehensive CPR and defibrillator training for school personnel, and support schools in promoting awareness of life-saving skills among students, staff, and the broader community.
As part of a broader strategy to improve health and wellbeing in school environments, the initiative is designed to safeguard pupils, staff, and visitors. Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, emphasized the initiative’s life-saving potential, stating, “Every second counts in a cardiac emergency, and making sure staff are trained, equipment is available, and systems are in place can make the difference between life and death.” He also spoke about honoring Oliver King’s memory by ensuring Liverpool schools are as prepared as possible to handle emergencies. Likewise, Professor Matt Ashton, Liverpool City Council’s Director of Public Health, highlighted the urgency of rapid CPR and defibrillator use to improve survival rates, noting the programme’s commitment to equipping schools with the necessary skills and confidence to respond effectively. Mark King OBE, founder of the Oliver King Foundation, described the project as a significant advancement for Liverpool, expressing pride in collaborating with the Council and partners to better protect young people.
Public Health Liverpool has provided funding to enable the Oliver King Foundation and SIL to deliver CPR and defibrillator training, offering at least two training spots per school. The project also seeks to increase the registration of school defibrillators on The Circuit, allowing the North West Ambulance Service to guide first responders quickly to these lifesaving devices. Where feasible, schools will be encouraged to make defibrillators accessible to the local community. The Directors of Public Health and Education have jointly reached out to headteachers and governors across primary, secondary, and special schools to encourage their active participation. This citywide effort complements the UK Government’s 2023 rollout of defibrillators to all state-funded schools and aligns with Department for Education recommendations on CPR training and emergency preparedness in schools
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