A FLINTSHIRE politician has called for more lifesaving devices to be made available in local communities.

Jack Sargeant, MS for Alyn and Deeside, spoke during a debate in the Senedd this week focused on access to defibrillators across Wales.

The Labour MS highlighted local examples including 10 nearby schools without the lifesaving equipment and one defibrillator being inaccessible during certain hours at Connah’s Quay Morrisons.

Jack Sargeant MS said: “I recently met with Mark King from the Oliver King Foundation, who are campaigning for a life-saving defibrillator in every single school across the United Kingdom. The foundation was set up in January of 2012, following the tragic death of Mark's son, 12-year-old Oliver King. Oliver died from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome—a hidden heart condition that kills 12 young people every week.

Mr Sargeant went on to say that his office conducted a local survey to see if schools in his area had access to a device – and whilst 23 schools did have a defibrillator, 10 did not.

He continued: “Many of those 10 got back in touch with my office to ask how they can go about getting one and can they get one funded and they wanted advice on how to do that.

“So, I will be putting them in touch with the Oliver King Foundation, but I would also ask that the Welsh Government and local government colleagues across Wales consider mapping this out properly and help schools to get the life-saving equipment they so much need.”

Mr Sargeant also spoke about being made aware by a friend of an elderly family member who fell ill in the early hours of the morning.

He said: “Upon phoning 999, they were instructed to go to the nearest available defibrillator at the local supermarket, but unfortunately, the supermarket was shut and the defibrillator was locked inside. My friend was unable to access that.

“As we've heard from Members across all benches here today, it is vital that defibrillators are in a location that means that they're accessible 24 hours a day.

“Now, I have written to Morrisons in Connah's Quay in my own constituency asking them to facilitate this sensible move, and I would like other stores across my constituency and across Wales and the UK to do the same.”

The local politician urged the First Minister and all of Welsh Government to pursue this issue across the country.