In North Belfast, community efforts are significantly improving response times for cardiac emergencies through the installation of defibrillators. Local health worker Fiona McCarthy has been pivotal in this initiative, aiming to combat one of the highest rates of coronary heart disease in Northern Ireland. Over the past three years, she has successfully organized fundraising campaigns to place defibrillators in strategic locations across the area.
The importance of these devices cannot be overstated. According to health experts, if a defibrillator is used within three to five minutes of a cardiac arrest, survival rates can increase dramatically, from approximately 6% to as high as 70%. Recognizing this, McCarthy has worked tirelessly to enhance access to these life-saving tools.
Fiona McCarthy, who serves as an auxiliary nurse at Royal Victoria Hospital, reflected on the urgency of the situation. “Back in 2023, I thought it would be good to get one in the area because there were none,” she stated. The first defibrillator was installed outside Coopers Chemist on the Oldpark Road in April 2023, following a successful fundraising campaign led by the local community.
The drive for defibrillators began after a neighbor experienced a medical emergency. McCarthy recounted, “It was a neighbor of ours who needed it one night, and 999 said there was one at the top of Ardoyne, but it was gone. So my husband said we should fundraise to try and get one to install in the community.” Together, they contributed £500 and rallied support from other community members.
As of now, North Belfast has five operational defibrillators, and they have already played a crucial role in saving lives. McCarthy shared a poignant story of a man who collapsed and required the use of a defibrillator. Although he ultimately passed away a week later, the timely intervention allowed for organ donation, which saved two more lives.
In addition to defibrillators, McCarthy has introduced a bleed kit—an innovative resource aimed at addressing trauma incidents such as car accidents and stabbings. This kit, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, provides essential supplies to manage severe bleeding until emergency services arrive. “I want the community to know it’s there,” she emphasized.
Looking toward the future, McCarthy plans to install another defibrillator in the Shankill area by early spring. Her commitment to improving community health resources is unwavering. “I keep saying that’s enough and not doing anymore, but you just keep going,” she remarked. “I feel very proud when I see the lives that they’re saving.”
As the initiative grows, McCarthy continues to maintain all defibrillators registered with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, receiving notifications each time one is utilized. Her dedication to reducing cardiac arrest fatalities in North Belfast not only highlights the importance of community engagement in health initiatives but also serves as a testament to the difference that accessible medical resources can make in saving lives.
