GOVERNMENT money is being made available to cut the cost of heart start defibrillator machines in Ludlow and south Shropshire.

Schools can now opt to buy defibrillators at a reduced price, meaning thousands of pupils could benefit from the life-saving device at a substantial discount.

The deal, initially for 500 machines, was struck through a reverse auction process run by NHS Supply Chain, in which suppliers ‘bid’ for the lowest price for which they could supply the machines.

Now the government intends to order additional batches of defibrillators, with quantities based on school demand, through further reverse auctions.

The news has been welcomed by Ludlow MP Philip Dunne.

“I am keen to see more community defibrillators placed around the Ludlow constituency, particularly in local schools,” said Mr Dunne.

“Recently I supported installation of a defibrillator in Bitterley Primary School and I hope other local schools will follow this lead.

“So I am pleased the Government has negotiated a substantial discount on these defibrillators. These devices can save lives. In a rural area like Shropshire, they can provide vital assistance before an ambulance arrives.

“I am writing to all schools in the constituency who have not already installed these devices to urge them to buy a defibrillator and install this life-saving piece of kit in our communities.”

Bitterley Primary School received a defibrillator thanks to the Hand on Heart charity after an application was made by local parent Anna Parkes.

Ms Parkes said she had been alarmed to read an article about the number of children dying each week in the UK from cardiac arrest and how a rapid response to such emergencies is vital.