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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-10-13 Daily Xml
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Restart a Heart Day

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:18): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Can the minister please update the council on initiatives to improve cardiac care outcomes?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:19): I thank the honourable member for his question. This Friday 16 October is international Restart a Heart Day. The annual campaign aims to raise awareness in the community of cardiac arrest and the use of hands-on CPR and automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) to save lives. Sudden cardiac arrest affects more than 1,800 people each year in South Australia, with only one in 10 surviving. We can all help to improve that statistic.

Time is a critical factor for survival. The difference between life and death for a person suffering a heart attack could be a bystander that is willing and confident to start CPR. Every minute that someone is in cardiac arrest without receiving CPR or defibrillation, their chances of surviving decrease by 10 per cent, so the sooner someone receives help, the higher their chance of survival. After 10 minutes without intervention, I am advised that the damage caused is nearly irreversible.

I encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with the three important steps to restart a heart: call, push, shock. Call 000, start CPR, apply a defibrillator. The South Australian Ambulance Service delivers free 30-minute training sessions for community groups in relation to CPR. COVID-19 restrictions unfortunately mean that those training sessions are currently unavailable, but community groups are still encouraged to register their interest so that as soon as they resume, they can be provided to their group.

Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) do not require any training to use and can be used by anyone. The South Australian Ambulance Service maintains an AED register, which allows emergency response agencies to direct a caller to the closest AED so that it can be used in a cardiac emergency until an ambulance arrives.

I understand that many organisations have bought AEDs but have not notified the Ambulance Service, which means that if someone calls 000 the emergency responder is unaware that there is an AED nearby to help. I would encourage all community groups, sports clubs and businesses that have an AED to contact the Ambulance Service to ensure the register is up to date with their facility.

As members of parliament, we are very fortunate that the Presiding Officers have ensured that defibrillators are available at multiple locations in this building. The City of Adelaide has also installed AEDs for public use, with the support of SA Ambulance and the Heart Foundation. Those AEDs are located at 24 locations throughout the city, and the location of these AEDs is easily identified with heart-shaped artwork by artist Pat Welke above each service.

Each year, the South Australian Ambulance Service celebrates Restart a Heart Day with a program of activities that has included hosting a public event. Unfortunately, with the impact of COVID-19, this year social media and traditional media will be the focus in promoting the important message of: call, push, shock. I would encourage all members of the council to help spread the message through their social media platforms.

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