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Life-saving equipment planned for city centre bank

Joe GerrardLocal Democracy Reporting Service
News imageGetty Images A bright yellow public defibrillator cabinet is mounted on a rough grey brick wall. The box has a small window, a keypad for entry, and a black handle. Text on the front reads “Life Saving Defibrillator” and instructs people to call 999 for an access code. A green sign with a heart and lightning bolt symbol indicates the presence of a defibrillator, and a St John Scotland logo appears at the bottom.Getty Images
Defibrillators are designed to help people who have gone into cardiac arrest

Plans for new life-saving equipment in York city centre have been lodged by a bank.

Nationwide has applied to install a defibrillator and bleed kit outside its branch on Parliament Street.

The kit will be kept in two cabinets, made from the same material as riot shields, with heaters and fans to prevent them malfunctioning, according to planning documents.

The firm's application said providing the equipment was part of its commitment to community wellbeing.

Outside lighting would also be included to make them visible at night along with metal hinges and security fixes to protect them from vandalism and damage, according to the plans.

"Each cabinet would be made using 'double-skin' construction and feature a heater and air circulation fan to stop them from freezing and prevent condensation.

"The cabinets are also designed to be resistant to corrosion and impact and the front of them is made out of polycarbonate, the same material used in riot shields."

News imageLDRS A Nationwide bank branch sits along a row of brick and painted shopfronts on a high street. The dark blue Nationwide sign hangs above large windows and the entrance, with an ATM visible beside the door. Several people walk past the shop, while others stand nearby. A row of bicycles is parked in front of the building, and additional shops and signage continue along the street.LDRS
The cabinet will be located on York's Parliament Street

Defibrillators are designed to help people who have gone into cardiac arrest while bleed kits contain equipment to stem catastrophic blood loss.

Nationwide said it plans to install external defibrillators and bleed control kits across "select branches" and the York one will be located at a prominent location where they can easily be seen and reached.

The St John's Ambulances kits will feature Nationwide's branding with plan stating: "[The] national aim is to ensure people have rapid, 24/7 access to vital emergency equipment whenever it is needed."

The proposed defibrillators would join nine others already in the city centre, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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