£8.7m investment in ambulances and defibrillators will save lives in Derry: Kelly

Councillor Kelly, speaking as the extra funding was announced by the Department of Finance, said: “I very much welcome the news that an extra £8.7million is going to be spent on essential maintenance and defibrillators for ambulances.

“In emergency situations time is of the essence and the quicker paramedics can get access to a defibrillator the more lives can be saved.”

He added: “It’s great that defibrillators are now located in civic buildings, schools, sporting clubs, community organisations and many other locations across the North.

“In 2011 I got unanimous backing for a motion in the then Derry City Council calling for the introduction of the machines at council facilities and for staff to be trained in their use.

“And last year we seen the installation of defibrillators in the city centre with the help of the City Centre Initiative, Council, Ambulance Service and various bodies.”