Manitobans are being asked for their feedback on expert panel recommendations on which public places will be required to have defibrillators under the Defibrillator Public Access Act. This announcement was made by Health Minister Theresa Oswald.
“When someone is in cardiac arrest, rapid treatment can mean the difference between life and death,” said Oswald. “We want to hear the public’s thoughts about how to best implement this important legislation that will ensure access to defibrillators where they are needed most to save lives.”
The act was passed with all-party support in 2011 and an expert working group was established to provide advice about which public facilities would benefit most from having defibrillators located on site. The working group included paramedics and representatives from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba.
The recommendations include a variety of high-traffic public spaces or places with frequent recreational activities such as golf courses, large malls, gyms, schools and airports.
The public is being asked to provide feedback on the types of public places where defibrillators will be installed, the criteria to determine the number and location of defibrillators in public places, the signs that must be posted and the date defibrillators will be required.
Manitobans can respond or provide feedback:
• at the website;
• by mail to Legislative Unit, Manitoba Health, 1052 300 Carlton St., Winnipeg MB R3B 3M9, Attention: J. Kydd;
• by fax at 204-945-1020; or
• by email at aed@gov.mb.ca
Public feedback on the regulations will be accepted until May 31.
Cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital 85 per cent of the time. The legislation was introduced in the spring of 2011 to ensure access to defibrillators in public places where it could be used to save lives, the minister said.
