People and organisations should check if they have the defibrillator model, LIFEPAK 1000 Automatic External Defibrillators (AED), because a technical fault with some of them means they may not deliver an electric shock to the heart to someone who is in cardiac arrest.

This issue could potentially affect all LIFEPAK 1000 devices. There are 10,068 devices in the UK.

These devices are available in public places such as schools, airports, football stadiums and leisure centres. They are often known as public access defibrillators (PAD) as they are intended to be used by anyone. They are also found in hospitals, clinics and ambulances. The manufacturer’s logo on the front cover may vary, displaying ‘Medtronic’ or ‘Physio-Control’.

The manufacturer, Physio-Control, has sent a safety alert to people with affected defibrillators with instructions for action. If you have not received an FSN from the manufacturer, please contact them directly. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a Medical Device Alert.

The fault is due to intermittent connection between the battery and device contacts because of wear and subsequent corrosion between both components. This could fail to deliver a shock to resuscitate a patient.

It is important that the manufacturer’s instructions are followed by completing and returning the confirmation sheet immediately.

People should check that the serial number listed in their confirmation sheet matches the serial number on the label located on the back of the device.

If your device powers off unexpectedly, either during inspection or during patient treatment, immediately remove and reinstall your existing battery to restore power to the device. If power is not restored, replace the battery with a spare battery and call Physio-Control immediately to arrange for servicing of your device.

It is important to implement a weekly schedule of battery removal and reinstallation for all LIFEPAK 1000 devices until contacted by Physio‐Control to arrange repair for any affected devices. Removing and reinstalling the battery on a weekly basis will help make sure your device is ready for use. It is also important to always carry a fully charged spare battery.

As part of the maintenance and testing schedule, users of the LIFEPAK 1000 Defibrillator should always follow the Operating Instructions which direct users to routinely inspect both the battery well and battery contacts, especially if the devices have been exposed to vibrations or the battery has been installed for an extended period without being removed.

John Wilkinson, MHRA’s Director of Medical Devices said:

These devices deliver life-saving treatment and it is vital they operate correctly when needed in an emergency.

People who are responsible for them should carry out the checks recommended by the manufacturer.

If you have any questions please contact Physio-Control on 0808 258 0094.

Notes to Editor

1. View the Medical Device Alert

2. View the Field Safety Notice.

3. Customer support for Physio-Control: 0808 258 0094, option 4, 08:30 – 17:00, Monday – Friday

4. For more information on the manufacturer please visit their website

5. Report any problems with medical devices to us via the Yellow Card Scheme

6. MHRA is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. MHRA is a centre of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which also includes the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) and the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health.

Helen Stephenson, who has been Director of Early Years and Childcare at the Department for Education since 2014, will join the Commission on 18 July. She succeeds Paula Sussex in the role.

Helen has extensive experience of senior leadership across the public and voluntary sectors, having previously served as Director and Deputy Director of the Office for Civil Society, and has filled senior roles at the Big Lottery Fund and the Shaftesbury Society. She has also, until recently, been chair and trustee of the National Childbirth Trust, and was part of the Advisory Council of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

In her current role, Helen leads a large team in delivering and implementing a multi-million pound childcare programme, and was responsible for taking the Childcare Act through Parliament. At the Cabinet Office, Helen’s responsibilities included delivering government policy on charities, social action and volunteering, social investment and the National Citizens Service.

Helen Stephenson said:

The charitable sector plays a crucial role in our national life and I am delighted to be joining the Charity Commission at this important time. It is an honour to be leading the dedicated and talented team at the Commission and Paula is handing over an organisation that is in excellent shape, well equipped to meet the challenges of the future. I look forward to working with the Commission’s staff to continue the ambitious plans we have set.

William Shawcross, Chairman of the Charity Commission, said:

It is wonderful that Helen is joining us. The board and I are confident that she will be an outstanding leader and will build on the progress we have made in recent years. I know our excellent staff will give Helen a warm welcome and I look forward to working with her.

Helen Stephenson – career

2014-2017 Director of Early Years and Childcare, Department for Education

2011-2014 Director, Office for Civil Society and Government innovation Group

2007-2011 Deputy Director, Office for Civil Society, Cabinet Office

2004-2007 Head of Strategic Policy and Partnerships, the Big Lottery Fund

2001-2004 Senior Policy Advisor, New Opportunities Fund/ Big Lottery Fund

Helen Stephenson – voluntary experience

2014-2017 NCVO Advisory Council 2015-2017 Trustee and Chair, National Childbirth Trust 2013-2017 Board Member, Big Society Trust

Honours

2014 – CBE for services to Civil Society in the Birthday Honours list

Ends.

PR 41/17

Notes to editors

1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales.
2. To find out more about our work, see our annual report.
3. Search for charities on our online register.

Andrew
Gwynne, Labour’s National Election co-ordinator, responding to
the launch of the Conservative manifesto, said:

“Behind
the rhetoric, this is a manifesto that offers the majority of working people
and pensioners insecurity with a huge question mark over their living
standards.

“The
tax guarantee they previously made is gone. While they’ll guarantee Corporation
Tax falls to 17p they’re dropping their promise not to raise income tax and
National Insurance contributions, raising the spectre of tax rises on lower and
middle incomes. No wonder they’ve dropped their previous promise to raising
living standards and the phrase “living standards” doesn’t appear at all.

“This
manifesto is proof the Tories are ditching any claim to stand up for older
people. Pensioners stand to lose the pension guarantee in the next parliament,
the Winter Fuel Allowance is being hacked away at and their social care plans
could see those who need care forced to pay for it with their homes.

“For
our public services – slashed back by the Tories – there’s nothing but
insecurity in these plans. They’ve failed to match Labour’s commitment on
education and there’s no detail other than a vague promise on giving the NHS
funding – a promise they made in the past and broke.

“The
Tories stand up only for the few. For the many they offer the prospect of five
years of insecurity.”

Ends

18 May 2017

Nicola Sturgeon must introduce the successful scheme which fast tracks talented graduates into schools to address Scotland’s recruitment crisis, Ruth Davidson has said.

The Scottish Conservative leader pointed to figures showing 400 graduates who’d studied in Scotland were now teaching elsewhere in the UK thanks to the Teach First initiative.

At First Minister’s Questions, she added versions of the scheme were operating in 40 countries across the world but, thanks to SNP decisions, not in Scotland.

However, Ms Sturgeon refused to commit to implementing Teach First north of the border, saying she’d been talked out of it by a teacher on a visit to London.

That’s the same reason she outlined 18 months ago in the Scottish Parliament, sparking accusations that she’s done nothing since to remedy Scotland’s teacher shortage.

Latest figures show there are 4000 fewer teachers in schools than when the SNP came to power in 2007, while 70 per cent of schools say they can’t offer s4 pupils the choice of subjects they want.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:

“Everyone accepts that there aren’t enough teachers in Scotland.

“But for reasons known only to herself, Nicola Sturgeon repeatedly refuses to implement the successful Teach First scheme.

“Hundreds of bright graduates from Scottish universities are now teaching elsewhere in the UK thanks to this initiative.

“Dozens of countries elsewhere in the world successfully use versions of this project to make sure there are enough teachers in schools.

“Yet the SNP sits on its hands. The First Minister gave me the same answers today as she did 18 months ago, and that’s not good enough.

“The reality is Nicola Sturgeon has presided over a teacher recruitment crisis.

“She’s fallen asleep at the wheel on education, the response to bad test results is to take schools out the tests altogether, and when good ideas like Teach First come forward, she inexplicably knocks them back.

“It’s not enough for her just to admit these mistakes in teacher recruitment – she has to act on them too.”

For more on the Teach First scheme operating successfully elsewhere in the UK, visit: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/scotland/exodus-of-graduates-to-fast-track-teaching-programme-in-england-ff3q3z3v5

Scotland has 4000 fewer teachers than when the SNP came to power in 2007: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/799693/Andrew-Neil-SNP-education-cut-teachers-Scotland-BBC-Daily-Politics