Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest - A Strategy for Scotland Review 2015 - 16

Foreword

A year on from the public launch of 'Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest ( OHCA): A Strategy for Scotland', I welcome this review of progress, which sets out achievements so far and provides a stimulus for further activities.

The chances of survival following an OHCA are greatly increased if prompt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ( CPR) and early defibrillation are provided. We know that people trained in CPR are more likely to intervene when someone has a cardiac arrest. So the priority in the first phase of the Strategy has been to increase the number of people equipped and prepared to give CPR.

I am delighted to hear the opportunities for CPR training have been enthusiastically taken up by so many people in Scotland during the first year of the Strategy. I want to thank the tens of thousands of you who seized such an opportunity and encourage many more of you to follow suit.

Much of this has been achieved through 'Save a Life for Scotland', which has brought organisations together to provide training and support. This has built on the strong existing network of first responders and other volunteers, supported by public and voluntary organisations, working with dedication and commitment to save lives and support our emergency services. The work of these groups contributes to wider benefit for the people of Scotland in building resilient and strong communities.

The OHCA Strategy was devised in collaboration with a range of public and voluntary services, and is being delivered in partnership. Public services are working across traditional boundaries, hand in hand with voluntary organisations and communities, to improve outcomes after OHCA and make Scotland an international leader in the management of OHCA. Delivery of the Strategy is unlocking the potential and the creativity of people at all levels of public and voluntary service, empowering them to work together in innovative ways. All those involved are working together with communities to deliver these skills to save lives.

We greatly value all partners' contributions to delivering the ambitious aims set out in Scotland's Strategy for Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest and are committed to building on our progress to date. I would like to offer my thanks and appreciation to all those involved.

Aileen Campbell MSP
Minister for Public Health