Operation Heart Start

21/05/2026

We are at . The Scottish Cardiac Arrest Symposium. Bringing together charities, ambulance service partners and NHS colleagues to improve outcomes from cardiac arrest nationally. You can join in live on YouTube scas.cot

01/04/2026

Thank you to Wendy Chamberlain for North East Fife, Cllr Al Clark and Cllr Jane Ann Liston for joining us as we celebrated Dr Hamish Tait's MBE.

As we look to the future, our mission continues to equip the communities within and around with life saving public access and free training.

We couldn't do any of this without your support. We are entirely funded by donations and ran by volunteers. If you would like to donate or volunteer, please message us or visit www.heartstart.org

It was wonderful to attend, alongside Cllr Al Clark and Cllr Jane Ann Liston, the celebration of Dr Hamish Tait receiving his MBE for his incredible work founding Operation Heart Start.

Their life-saving work across our communities is truly inspiring and they’re always looking for volunteers to get involved. You can find out more about volunteering here: https://heartstart.org/get-in-touch/

27/02/2026

The team at out partner SALFS made to the news last night, more on the funding announcement in our previous post.

26/02/2026

Operation Heart Start welcome today's announcement by FM John Swinney of the £2.5million investment in improving Cardiac Arrest survival across Scotland.

Funding to strengthen emergency response and tackle health inequalities.

14/02/2026

Happy Valentines Day! ❤️

Knowing CPR and how to use a defibrillator can help save a life, and having the confidence to act quickly during a cardiac arrest can make all the difference.

Make sure you’re prepared by exploring our free public resources: www.heartstart.org

09/01/2026

30/12/2025

New Year Honours 2026

Our committee and volunteers would like to offer a heartfelt congratulations to our previous chairperson Dr Hamish Tait who is the recipient of the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours.

His Majesty The King’s annual New Year Honours list represents the best of Britain, awarding honours such as knighthoods, medals or ranks to those worked hard to support various causes and campaigns throughout the year.
More than 100 Scots have been recognised for their hard work and positive contributions to society in the New Year Honours including our previous chairperson.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
(Awarded for an outstanding achievement or service to the community)
Dr Hamish Adie Tait. Chair, Heart Start. For services to Public Access to Defibrillators. (St Andrews, Fife)

After training jobs in the Glasgow area, Hamish moved to St Andrews in 1978 where he took up a post in general practice. He retired in 2007 and then spent two years working in a remote hospital in the extreme north of Cameroon under the auspices of VSO. Hamish worked at L’Hôpital de Zidim, a general hospital providing all the services, including for patients with tuberculosis, and victims of HIV/AIDS. Hamish has also been very active in his voluntary work with St Andrews Rotary Club.

Hamish launched Operation Heart Start on St Andrews Day 1987 to provide equipment to help prevent sudden death from cardiac arrest and to organise training for members of the public in basic life support. This work formed a blueprint for national success and has saved countless lives.

See more on our history here - https://heartstart.org/aboutus/

04/12/2025

🎄A Christmas Miracle?🎄
An Operation Heart Start volunteer on their way back to Fife, was alerted by 🚑 Scottish Ambulance Service tonight via Goodsam app. When they arrived at a local gym they found a male unconscious in

Excellent was already in progress by staff and bystanders already. 4 shocks from a ZOLL Medical .

Tonight the 🔗 fell perfectly into place and someone will be with their family over Christmas.

1. Early recognition of a Cardiac Arrest and a 999 call.

2. CPR started immediately.

3. A defibrillator on the premises and a 2nd public access one nearby. Thanks to 👮‍♂️👮‍♀️ Wellgate Shopping Centre security and Police Scotland Tayside .

4. Fast ambulance crew response and now recieving excellent care at NHS Tayside Ninewells Hospital

If you would like to learn CPR you can visit our website at www.heartstart.org