Donnelly Group Completes Rollout of Lifesaving Defibrillators Across Sites

Posted By:
Donnelly Group

26th Jul 2021

Northern Ireland’s largest family-owned vehicle retailer, Donnelly Group, has invested in five additional defibrillators meaning the lifesaving devices are present at all eight Donnelly locations across Northern Ireland.

The five new Automated External Defibrillators, were supplied to the Donnelly Group by local company MKB Medical and will provide access to the potentially lifesaving equipment not only for staff and customers but also those in the surrounding area.

Dermot Vallely, Group Health & Safety Manager at Donnelly Group, commented:

“Unfortunately, cardiac events can happen anywhere at any time to anyone. However, with defibrillators now in place across all our locations we feel reassured that should the worst happen to a colleague or customer on site, we are equipped to achieve the best possible outcome.

“With CPR alone, the chances of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest are around just 5%. When combined with the prompt use of a defibrillator the survival rates can increase to over 70%.

“These statistics speak for themselves and having the defibrillators on site really could be the difference between life or death.

“Our employees will receive specialised training so that they are familiar with the devices and ready to respond at pace.”

Defibrillators shock the heart back into a normal rhythm after a sudden cardiac arrest, but for every minute a shock is delayed survival rates can decrease by 10%.

The defibrillators are on site at all Donnelly Group locations – Ballymena, Bangor, Belfast, Dungannon, Eglinton, Enniskillen, Mallusk and Maydown.

Mark Bailie, Director at MKB Medical said:

“The reality is that cardiac events can happen at any time – when people are at work, when out for a walk, playing sport, doing the weekly shop or even looking for a car.

“The Donnelly Group is a large employer across Northern Ireland and it’s excellent to see a responsible business looking out for not only their employees and customers, but the local community.

“Unfortunately we are becoming all too aware of cardiac events both within our communities and through high profile cases such as that of Christian Eriksen, the Danish midfielder who recently collapsed at the Euros tournament.

“We all hope these devices at the Donnelly Group locations never have to be used, but are pleased that they provide additional defibrillator cover right across Northern Ireland.”

To enquire about a defibrillator for your premises or place of work, please contact mark@mkbmedical.com or alternatively call MKB Medical on 028 9048 4673.

For more information about Donnelly Group and its locations across Northern Ireland, visit donnellygroup.co.uk