Letter: More life-saving PADs essential

I WAS delighted to see the article by Lyndsay Moss that highlighted the lack of life-saving defibrillators in public places in Scotland (News, 15 August).

The funds that we in the charity Scottish HART have raised over the past few years have allowed us to supply a number of life-saving Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) in over 30 locations in Scotland.

Given Scotland's place in the league table for heart-related conditions and deaths it should be a public health priority to ensure that the majority of public places have a PAD plus the necessary support and back up required to ensure they are operated correctly.

Scottish HART will continue to work in partnership with local communities in our efforts to fundraise to try and make up for the enormous shortfall in these important life saving machines.

Wilma Gunn, chairperson and founder

Scottish HART, Selkirk