Nationwide is transforming its bank branches into emergency hubs equipped with defibrillators and bleed control kits, the mutual has announced. The initiative, the largest of its kind by the world's biggest building society, is being rolled out in partnership with Visa.
Life-Saving Equipment in 605 Locations
Nationwide, which has branches in Birmingham, will deploy the life-saving gear across 605 sites. St John Ambulance is collaborating with Nationwide to provide life-saving training to 4,000 staff members and local communities.
This move follows Nationwide's pledge to keep all its branches open until at least 2030. Amanda Beech, Nationwide’s Director of Retail Services, stated: "Nationwide’s unique reach as the UK’s largest branch network gives us the ability to put life-saving equipment where it matters most - in places people already know and trust in their communities."
Transforming Branches into Emergency Hubs
"By transforming our branches into visible, emergency hubs, we’re making it easier to access help when every second counts. Crucially we’re also offering training to all our branch colleagues, before extending that training into the communities we serve. We want more people to feel prepared, confident and ready to act when it matters most," Beech added.
St John Ambulance Chief Medical Officer, Professor Andrew Hartle, commented: "We’re so pleased to work with Nationwide and Visa on this project, which so perfectly meets St John Ambulance’s mission to put the power of first aid into everyone’s hands. With hundreds more public access defibrillators and bleed control kits across the UK, and thousands more people confident to use them, I am confident many more lives will be saved in our communities."
24/7 Access and Public Awareness
The kits will be available 24/7 unless located within a shopping centre, and can be accessed by the public as directed by emergency services. Nationwide research indicates that 87% of people would feel safer knowing life-saving equipment is available in their local area, and 88% believe such equipment should be as common as fire extinguishers in public spaces. However, only 27% know the location of their nearest defibrillator, and just 9% know where their nearest bleed kit is located.
