Nationwide makes major change in 605 branches ‘to support high street’ | Personal Finance | Finance
Nationwide has confirmed a major change across all 605 of its branches in the UK. The housebuilder said the move would be the “biggest of its kind” as it hopes to offer further support to the British high street.
It will be the first construction company nationwide to introduce defibrillators and bleeding control kits in all its branches. They will be installed by the end of the year and all staff will be trained by St John Ambulance. Data shows 87 per cent of Brits would feel safer with life-saving equipment in their area. Meanwhile, 97% believe it is important for staff to be trained in life-saving first aid.
Statistics also show that fewer than 1 in 10 heart attack survivors in the UK are predicted to survive. However, survival rates increase to up to 70% if the patient is defibrillated within three to five minutes of fainting.
In a survey of 2,000 people, 88% said life-saving equipment such as defibrillators and bleeding control kits should be as common in the public sector as fire extinguishers. However, only 27% know the location of the nearest defibrillator and 9% know the location of the nearest bleeding kit.
Meanwhile, 27% of Brits are unsure if serious bleeding can be stopped. Similarly, 31% do not feel confident using a defibrillator and many fear they will make the situation worse.
Nationwide has confirmed 4,000 staff will be given the chance to attend ‘Heart of the Community’ sessions. They will work with St John Ambulance to give people the knowledge and confidence to perform CPR, use a defibrillator and understand how to treat serious bleeding in an emergency.
The move comes as Nationwide pledges to keep all its branches open until at least 2030. It is the UK’s largest housebuilder and other banks are also confirming that many branches will close across the country.
Amanda Beech, head of retail services at Nationwide, said: “As the UK’s largest branch network, our unparalleled reach across the country gives us the ability to place life-saving equipment where it matters most – in places people already know and trust in their communities. “By turning our branches into visible, emergency centres, we make it easier to access help when every second counts.
“Most importantly, we also offer training to all of our branch colleagues before expanding this training to the communities we serve. We want more people to feel prepared, confident, and ready to take action when it matters most.”
Professor Andrew Hartle, St John Ambulance’s chief medical officer, said: “We are delighted to be working with Nationwide and Visa on this project, which perfectly meets St John Ambulance’s mission to put the power of first aid into the hands of everyone.
“I am confident that with hundreds more defibrillators and bleeding control kits available to the public across the UK, and thousands more people confident of using them, many more lives will be saved in our communities.”
