Douglas Ross raises roll-out of Keiran’s Legacy defibrillators in police fleet with Police Scotland chief
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MORAY'S MP has used a meeting with Scotland's police chief to discuss the possibility of equipping front-line police vehicles with Keiran's Legacy defibrillators.
Douglas Ross met Iain Livingstone, Chief Constable of Police Scotland, yesterday.
Keiran’s Legacy was established by Moray couple Sandra and Gordon McKandie in the wake of a road accident which claimed the life of their only son, keen cyclist Keiran, on March 20, 2016. The Elgin Academy pupil was 16.
As well as distributing defibrillators around the north-east, the charity's volunteers educate and train people on how to save lives.
The charity has provided defibrillators for police vehicles in the north-east and Highlands and Islands and is pushing for this to be rolled out to other police divisions in Scotland.
Mr Ross said after the meeting: "Sandra and Gordon McKandie have campaigned tirelessly for defibrillators to be available in as many locations as possible following the tragic death of their son, Keiran, in 2016.
"As part of their campaign they wanted as many front-line emergency vehicles fitted with defibrillators as possible and initially they started supplying in the former Grampian Police area."
To date Police Scotland have 134 AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) devices available for use. Some 37 are carried in police response vehicles.
Mr Ross added: "Almost half of those fitted to police vehicles came from Keiran’s Legacy – but Gordon and Sandra want to see more fitted and I was keen to highlight this with the chief constable at our meeting.
"Police Scotland have explained that the responsibility for securing and distributing the AEDs was, until recently, the responsibility of each police division. However, with the donation of these vital life-saving devices coming from charities, partnerships and third-sector agencies, the force have decided that it is better and more efficient to have greater oversight and co-ordination of the AEDs to maximise the procurement opportunities, promotion of access to them.
"This has recently evolved into a national workstream to review Police Scotland’s future use of AEDs. This review will hopefully bring together best practice, new sourcing opportunities and ensure this equipment remains fully maintained.
"I’ve asked to be kept updated with the progress of the review and I know the tremendous efforts Sandra and Gordon have gone to and the impact of Keiran’s Legacy will see more and more defibrillators in police vehicles right across Scotland.
"The chief constable expressed the thanks of the force for Sandra and Gordon McKandie’s generosity and hard work."
Sandra said: "I am delighted that Douglas was able to discuss the part Keiran's Legacy is playing in the distribution of AEDs in fast-response vehicles directly with the chief constable.
"The full review that Police Scotland are now carrying out will lead to the development of best practice regarding distribution of AEDs within the police fleet and estate. This review, however, requires to be completed urgently so that further defibrillators can be deployed into the correct areas and that more people's lives can be saved.
"It is our aspiration that the roll-out of defibrillators becomes a national one and as many emergency vehicles as possible are fitted with them. The findings of this review and subsequent developments will result in a change in practice and we would wish this to be recognised nationally as part of Keiran's Legacy.
"Keiran is responsible for many lives being saved and our aim is to allow Keiran to continue to save even more people, honouring our son and allowing him to continue to make real change and difference to others' lives."
Read also: Man thanks Moray charity Keiran's Legacy for saving his life
