Our goals and objectives

The Heartsafe NWE project is a pioneering initiative aimed at improving survival rates associated with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in the North-West Europe (NWE) region. Through strategic collaboration and innovative approaches, our project seeks to achieve the following goals and objectives:

Enhance Emergency Response: Implement a community-based first responder system utilizing trained citizen responders and strategically placed Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to reduce response times and improve outcomes for SCA patients.
Increase Awareness and Training: Promote awareness of SCA and CPR training initiatives among the general public, healthcare professionals, and emergency response organizations to empower individuals to respond effectively in emergency situations.
Facilitate Knowledge Exchange: Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between regions involved in the project to share best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches for enhancing community safety and resilience.
Evaluate and Scale Up: Conduct rigorous evaluation of project outcomes and develop evidence-based recommendations for scaling up successful interventions to other regions within NWE and beyond.

Ecosystem approach

The cornerstone of the Heartsafe NWE project is the establishment of a robust citizen responder system combined with strategic deployment of AEDs.

Citizen responders

Trained individuals within local communities who are equipped to provide immediate assistance in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. These responders play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the occurrence of a sudden cardiac arrest and the arrival of professional medical help, significantly improving the chances of survival.

AED network

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are portable electronic devices that deliver a therapeutic dose of electrical energy to the heart to restore normal rhythm in the event of cardiac arrest. AEDs are strategically placed in public spaces, workplaces, and communities to ensure rapid access in emergency situations.

Regional projects

The Heartsafe NWE project encompasses a diverse range of regions within North-West Europe, including urban, suburban, and rural areas. Our project focuses on three pilot regions: Galway (Ireland), Leuven (Belgium), and Health Region Cologne-Bonn / Neuwied (Germany). These pilot sites have been selected based on their population density, geographic diversity, and existing infrastructure to maximize the impact of the project.

Through targeted interventions and collaborative efforts, the Heartsafe NWE project aims to improve emergency response capabilities and save lives across the North-West Europe region.

Leuven, Belgium

Partnering with KU Leuven, our pilot project in Leuven emphasizes the integration of academic research and community outreach to strengthen emergency response capabilities. KU Leuven's renowned expertise in health economics and evaluation complements our efforts to train citizen responders and deploy AEDs strategically across the city. By harnessing the university's resources and networks, we aim to create a sustainable model for enhancing public safety and resilience against sudden cardiac arrest in Leuven.

We are working on a regional website for Leuven. A link to this website will follow shortly.
If you would like to stay posted on any updates please subscribe via our contact form.

Galway, Ireland

In collaboration with Croi Heart & Stroke Charity, the Galway pilot project focuses on leveraging local expertise and community engagement to enhance emergency response against sudden cardiac arrest. Croi Heart & Stroke Charity brings years of experience in cardiovascular health advocacy, ensuring that our efforts are grounded in local knowledge and tailored to the needs of the Galway community.

We are working on a regional website for Galway. A link to this website will follow shortly.
If you would like to stay posted on any updates please subscribe via our contact form.

Neuwied, Germany

In collaboration with Health Region Cologne-Bonn, our pilot project in this German region prioritizes the establishment of a robust infrastructure for emergency response. Leveraging the region's healthcare networks and administrative support, we aim to deploy citizen responders and AEDs effectively across urban and rural areas. Health Region Cologne-Bonn's expertise in healthcare management and coordination ensures that our efforts are grounded in best practices and tailored to the unique needs of the Rhineland community.

We are working on a regional website for Neuwied. A link to this website will follow shortly.
If you would like to stay posted on any updates please subscribe via our contact form.