Restart a Heart event trains 200 lifesavers at Middlesex

Students and staff take part in hands-on CPR training and learn how to spot signs of cardiac arrest

Middlesex staff and students learned vital life-saving skills as part of a national campaign to raise awareness about cardiac arrest.

Delivered in partnership with London Ambulance Service, Laerdal Medical and Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), around 200 students and staff were taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as part of Restart a Heart 2026.

People taking part gained practical experience in recognising cardiac arrest, calling for emergency assistance, performing CPR and safe defibrillation.

The event, held on both the University’s Hendon campus and StoneX Simulation Centre, was attended by Deputy Mayor of Barnet, Humayune Khalick, who welcomed the effort to equip more people with potentially life-saving skills.

He said: "It is very encouraging to see so many Middlesex University students and members of the public learning CPR skills. I wish to thank London Ambulance Service, Laerdal, and CRY for their collaboration on this very important event."

Fiona Suthers, Head of Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre, said: "Every minute counts when someone experiences a cardiac arrest, and by learning CPR, people can make a real difference while emergency services are on their way. It was inspiring to see students and staff embracing the opportunity to develop these skills and build their confidence. Events like Restart a Heart show the power of partnership working to help more people feel prepared to step forward and potentially save a life."

Samantha Cook, one of four members of the London Ambulance Service's London Lifesavers team who delivered CPR training on the day, said: “The simple skills taught through our London Lifesavers training could help you keep someone alive until paramedics arrive. Around 76 per cent of cardiac arrests happen at home, so it’s really important that we can give young people the fundamental skills to know how to save a life.

“Learning CPR takes just a few minutes, but those minutes could one day help you save a life. That’s why we’re urging Londoners to join one of our free training sessions and become part of a generation of lifesavers or fundraise for a local defibrillator.”

Ann Kihara, a Foundation Year Biomedical Science student, said: "It was my first time taking CPR training and I will definitely be telling my friends about it. It's important for people in our local communities and for our parents to learn these vital skills too."

The event reflects Middlesex University's ongoing commitment to working with healthcare partners to improve public health, wellbeing and community resilience.

By equipping students and staff with the skills and confidence to act in a cardiac emergency, Restart a Heart 2026 has gone a long way to the creation of a growing network of potential lifesavers across the University community and London, reinforcing the message that immediate action by bystanders can make the difference between life and death.

Find out more about healthcare courses at Middlesex University.