Meath MEP warns defibrillators ‘hidden in plain sight’ as she calls for EU database
A Meath MEP has called for the creation of an EU-wide database of defibrillators, warning that many life-saving devices remain difficult to locate, including in parts of the county.
Nina Carberry said better registration and mapping of defibrillators is urgently needed, as new figures highlight the scale of local provision.
Recent figures from Community First Responders Ireland show there are 17 active schemes in Meath’s emergency defibrillator network, each responsible for a number of publicly accessible devices.
Speaking from the European Parliament in Brussels, Ms Carberry said many defibrillators remain effectively “hidden in plain sight”.
“Of the more than 9,000 devices across the country, nearly half are not registered,” she said.
“In an emergency, this lack of visibility can cost time that is critical for survival.”
She warned that around 90pc of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are fatal without rapid intervention.
“If a defibrillator cannot be found quickly and easily, the chances of saving a life drop dramatically,” she added.
Ms Carberry said the issue is not confined to Ireland, noting that access to defibrillator data varies widely across Europe.
She has called on the European Commission to examine the creation of a central EU-wide database as part of its cardiovascular health strategy, alongside improved access through digital maps and mobile apps.
"The starting point must be a full, accurate EU-wide database. After that, the focus must be on making that information easily available in real time, including through digital maps and phone apps, so people can find the nearest device immediately,” she added.
“We already have EU legislation to enable health data-sharing across borders. We should show the same ambition when it comes to defibrillators.”
Meanwhile, local communities are being urged to ensure defibrillators in sports clubs, schools and public spaces across Meath are properly registered with the HSE and community responder groups.