THOUSANDS of deaths caused by cardiac arrest could be prevented every year according to ambulance chiefs.

Experts from the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust told an audience of MPs that lives could be saved if all children were trained in basic life support, if defibrillators were more readily available and if screening was introduced for children at risk of heart conditions.

The trust held an event on Tuesday at the House of Commons, hosted by Leigh MP and shadow health secretary Andy Burnham, to get parliamentary support for improving the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK, which is currently about eight per cent.

Bolton West MP Julie Hilling was also in attendance, having thrown her weight behind The Bolton News’ Every School-Leaver a Lifesaver campaign, which calls for emergency life skills to be taught in schools.

She said: “If someone goes into cardiac arrest you need someone giving CPR and a defibrillator as soon as possible before the ambulance arrives.

"Defibrillators are an essential part of survival outside the hospital.

“I gave NWAS a tour of parliament and was really proud to be there with them.

“In every public place there is a fire extinguisher and defibrillators should be there too — in all educational establishments, leisure centres and public buildings.

“Because of the campaigning work from places like The Bolton News and Bolton Wanderers, there is a group of us working together and we already have schools who teach emergency life support.

“But I believe it should not be left to chance — we need the government to legislate that this is taught in all schools so that every school-leaver is a lifesaver.”

Guest speakers from NWAS, along with people whose lives have been saved or who had successfully resuscitated a victim, spoke at the event about the importance of bystanders taking action.

NWAS chief executive Bob Williams said: “Early intervention makes the difference between life and death so it’s vital that bystanders know what to do – call 999, start CPR and grab the nearest defibrillator.

“Teaching these potentially life-saving skills in schools so that children take them throughout their life is an obvious solution."