Nationwide – providing a lifeline beyond the mortgage

As from this morning, Tuesday 7 July, there is a new defibrillator on the wall of the Nationwide on the top side of the High Street just along from the bus stop. Unveiled this morning it’s part of the Nationwide strategy of keeping their customers alive(!). But really, it’s about Nationwide providing another service to the community, us all, for occasions when we need that critical assistance.

Nationwide are in the process of installing defibrillator units adjacent each of their branches across the UK. This programme – and each unit – is tied in to the BHF (British Heart Foundation) ‘The Circuit’, the national defibrillator network,  which provides the NHS ambulance services with vital information about defibrillators across the UK so that in those crucial moments after a cardiac arrest, they can be accessed quickly to help save lives. In an emergency either ‘999’ or ‘112’ is called and the responder will give the unlock code for the cabinet so that the necessary life saving work can start.

All Nationwide staff have been trained in the use of the defibrillator so during daytime opening hours will be there to help in the event of an emergency. “We hope that neither cabinet ever needs to be opened” said Bryan, Nationwide’s Marlborough branch manager “but if and when they are needed, we and the cabinets and units are there to help” he added.

There are already several other defibrillator units attached to various walls across Marlborough. Six are listed on the Town Council website, but there are several others as well at some of the various sports clubs. But this one is there to ensure that the busiest area in Marlborough is covered, properly. Nationwide is on the upper side of the High Street, just along from the bus stop (outside the former Lloyds Bank) and next door to Landmark. Other nearest defibrillator units are on the Town Hall at one end of the High Street and on the wall of the Library at the other near to St Peter’s.