New defibrillator in heart of Poltimore community

The Parish Council has announced that, thanks to a generous donation of £400 from David Wilson Redrow South West and additional support from the Village Hall Committee, Poltimore now has a brand-new defibrillator installed at the Village Hall.

The device is mounted on the external front wall of the Hall, located in the centre of the village, and is accessible to anyone in need. Housed in a heated cabinet, the defibrillator is checked and tested every month and also performs automatic self-checks to ensure it is always ready for use.

The new unit replaces the original defibrillator, which was installed in 2017, and was recently needed when an elderly resident sustained a fractured wrist at home. The availability of a defibrillator can be lifesaving as every minute without defibrillation following a sudden cardiac arrest reduces survival chances by 7–10%. The new model, widely used by GPs and A&E units, provides clear verbal instructions, making it easier for even untrained bystanders to use during a stressful situation.

Richard Smith, Chair at Poltimore Parish Council, said: “Training in the use of defibrillators has been offered to local residents. A recent session was attended by nine participants who all reported feeling much more confident in their ability to operate the device.

“Given the relatively high age profile of the Parish, ensuring that residents are aware of the defibrillator’s location and feel confident in using it is a high priority. The unit is also listed on a national database, making its availability known beyond the immediate community.

“We’d like to express our gratitude to David Wilson Redrow South West and the Village Hall Committee for helping secure this vital life-saving equipment, which enhances the safety and wellbeing of our residents.”

Louise Ware, sales director for David Wilson Redrow South West, the firm behind Blundell’s Grange, a new homes development in Tiverton, added: “We’re proud to have contributed to this new lifesaving equipment which reflects our commitment to improving community safety.”

Blundell's Grange includes a range of two, three, four and five bedroom homes surrounded by countryside on the outskirts of the characterful market town of Tiverton. For families, the highly rated Blundell's School and Blundell's Preparatory School are within a 20-minute walk away.

Junction 27 of the M5 is a ten-minute drive away and local Tiverton Parkway station offers direct services to Taunton, Exeter, Bristol and London Paddington.