A new public-access defibrillator has been installed at Middlesbrough Town Hall in North Yorkshire, providing a critical emergency resource for the community. The device is located in the building’s reception area and is available to assist anyone who suffers a cardiac arrest before paramedics can reach the scene.
The equipment was donated by Oxygen Finance, the company that operates Middlesbrough Council’s Supplier Incentive Programme. This programme allows the council to pay its suppliers early, and a portion of the savings generated is used to support social value projects, such as the donation of life-saving medical equipment.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke welcomed the addition, noting that the device has the potential to make a life-changing difference. With an estimated 30,000 cardiac arrests occurring outside of hospital settings every year across the UK, the inclusion of the defibrillator at the town hall is designed to provide simple, self-explanatory assistance during the vital minutes following an emergency.
This installation is part of an ongoing effort by the council to expand a borough-wide network of public-access defibrillators. Previous locations to benefit from this programme include the Acklam Green Centre. The effort aligns with wider national initiatives supported by the British Heart Foundation and central government funding aimed at increasing the number of these devices in high-traffic parks, community spaces, and public buildings.
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