Dunedin's branch of Bunnings Warehouse has backed down on plans to remove a potentially life-saving defibrillator, despite one of the staff members having died of a heart condition, the ODT reported.
Bunnings New Zealand manager Jacqui Coombes had been quoted by the ODT as saying that Bunnings as a company does not allow defibrillators in their stores nationwide because of maintenance costs, and the fact their staff have to be trained to use the devices in emergency situations. That position appears to have changed after public pressure on the issue.
The company’s New Zealand’s marketing manager Valerie Staley said a review was taking place following feedback from customers and staff on the issue of removing the defibrillators.
The social club of the Dunedin Branch of the hardware chain had raised approximately $1300 to purchase the device almost three years ago, as well as a petition to keep it in-store in case of emergency, although this was ignored and it was subsequently removed, a Bunnings staff member told the ODT.
Defibrillators are pivotal in treating someone suffering from a cardiac arrest, as it gives an electric shock to the heart, reestablishing normal contraction rhythms in the heart.