Life-saving technology installed in Inglewood: new defibrillator at Medical Centre

• An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) has been installed on the outside wall of the Inglewood Medical Centre
• This project is a community collaboration between the Inglewood Community Action Network (CAN) and the Inglewood Lions Club
• Quick access to the AED can significantly improve the chance of survival

The installation of a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) outside the Inglewood Medical Centre is a welcome development for the close-knit Goondiwindi Region community.

This community project was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Inglewood Community Advisory Network (CAN), in particular the Inglewood Lions Club.

The new AED is installed next to the entry of the Inglewood Medical Centre building, which is owned by Goondiwindi Regional Council. The AED is conveniently located and readily available to the public in case of an emergency.

The new AED complements an additional three AEDs installed by Council at the public pools in Goondiwindi, Inglewood and Texas last year. Council was also proud to collaborate with the Yelarbon Community Consultative Committee (CCC) to deliver two new AEDs to the community at the State School and recreation grounds.

An AED is a medical device that can deliver an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat and potentially save lives in cases of heart failure or cardiac arrest. It uses voice prompts and lights to explain each step the rescuer must take to help the patient.

Councillor Susie Kelly represents Council on the CAN committee and holds Council’s portfolio for Rural Services and Community Facilities. She said this is a prime example of how community groups can work together to improve public safety and wellbeing.

“Residents and visitors walking past the Inglewood Medical Centre will now see the bright red box with the letters AED adjacent to the front doors to the practice,” Cr Kelly said.

“This location was chosen by CAN - and supported by Council and the Medical Centre - because it is easily accessible to the Inglewood community. Quick access to a device like this can significantly improve the chances of someone’s survival and serve as an important resource for the community.

“This project is an excellent example of the community working together for the common good, and I congratulate the community for this,” she said. “The CAN committee was behind the project from the day it was first initiated and the Lions Club generously responded to the request for funding,” she said.

The Inglewood CAN committee comprises various local organisations, groups, and leaders who gather on a monthly basis to share updates on community activities and initiatives. Its primary goal is to collaborate on common goals and priorities in Inglewood and to take action on shared visions.

The Inglewood Lions Club is a local organisation of dedicated volunteers that focus on community service and fundraising to support a variety of community initiatives.