Liverpool schools launch citywide cardiac safety initiative
At Rice Lane Primary School this Tuesday, the typical sounds of a school morning were joined by the rhythmic clicks of CPR practice manikins. This session marked the first stage of a new citywide effort to ensure every educational setting in Liverpool is prepared to manage a cardiac emergency. The initiative brings together Public Health, Education, School Improvement Liverpool (SIL), and the Oliver King Foundation to provide equipment and training across the city.
While cardiac arrests in children are statistically rare, they occur without warning and demand an immediate response. The programme aims to eliminate gaps in coverage by assessing where defibrillators are currently located and identifying which staff members require updated life-saving skills. By coordinating efforts between the Council’s Health and Safety Unit and local health experts, the city is establishing a uniform safety standard for all pupils and staff.
Statistics reveal critical need for rapid school intervention
Recent national research from the University of Warwick provides a sobering backdrop to this local rollout. In 2024, 617 cardiac arrests occurred in individuals under the age of 18 across the UK, representing approximately 12 incidents every week. Currently, the survival rate for children in these scenarios is just one in eight.
Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, noted that early CPR and rapid access to a defibrillator are the most significant factors in improving these odds. The evidence suggests that survival rates drop significantly with every minute that passes without intervention. This programme focuses on giving school communities the confidence to act before professional paramedics arrive on the scene.
Honoring Oliver King’s legacy through citywide preparedness
The drive for better cardiac safety in Liverpool is deeply rooted in local history. In 2012, 12-year-old Oliver King died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a swimming race at King David High School. Since then, his father, Mark King OBE, has campaigned through the Oliver King Foundation to make defibrillators mandatory in schools.
This new citywide project builds directly on that work. Public Health Liverpool has funded the Foundation and SIL to coordinate specialized training, offering at least two dedicated training places for every school in the city. Mark King stated that the project is a significant step toward ensuring other families do not have to endure the pain of losing a child to a treatable emergency.
Mapping defibrillators via The Circuit for emergency response
A central component of the initiative involves technical readiness. All school defibrillators are being registered on “The Circuit,” the national defibrillator network. This registration allows the North West Ambulance Service to see the exact location of the nearest device in real-time when a 999 call is placed.
Beyond the school gates, the initiative encourages headteachers and governors to make these life-saving devices accessible to the wider community where possible. By installing devices on external walls, schools can serve as emergency hubs for their local neighborhoods outside of standard operating hours. The Directors of Public Health and Education have formally contacted all primary, secondary, and special schools to secure their commitment to this safety network.
Source: Liverpool City Council
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