Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cardiac Arrest

Tuesday 7 March 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mary Glindon inquired about the Government's 1 million fund aimed at increasing community defibrillators, highlighting the need for access in less affluent and rural areas.
  • Paul Bristow mentioned local organizations in Peterborough working to place more defibrillators in community settings.
  • The Government plans to publish criteria for the community defibrillators fund to open bids from organizations around the country.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
NHS
Context

The question arises from the government's £1 million fund to increase defibrillator numbers in community areas, where 72% of sudden cardiac arrests occur at home. Less affluent areas have lower public defibrillator access and rural regions face difficulties.

Question

I am pleased that the Government have committed to a £1 million fund to increase the number of defibrillators in the community. However, 72% of sudden cardiac arrests take place in the home, less affluent areas have lower access to public defibrillators and access is difficult in rural areas. Will the Minister make it her policy to require all new buildings, including residential accommodation, to have a defibrillator in the same way that smoke alarms are required?

Answer from Helen Whately

A specific objective of the community defibrillators fund is to make sure that defibrillators are installed in places where they are most needed, particularly places with higher footfall and those where people are at greater risk of cardiac arrest. That is appropriate to ensure defibrillators are where they are most needed so that we can reduce the number of people dying from cardiac arrest.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about requiring all new buildings to install defibrillators, but this was not addressed directly. The Minister focused on installing them in places with high footfall and risk areas.

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Q2 Paul Bristow
Context

The question is prompted by the community defibrillators fund aimed at increasing public access to defibrillators. The question highlights local organizations Gemma's Hearts and Brotherhood Foundation in Peterborough that are working towards this goal.

Question

Two great organisations in Peterborough, Gemma's Hearts and the Brotherhood Foundation, exist to try to place more defibrillators in the community, such as those at the Lime Tree pub in Walton and the Chestnuts community centre in Eastfield. How will the community defibrillators fund work with voluntary organisations such as the two that I have mentioned to ensure that we have equitable access across places like Peterborough?

Answer from Helen Whately

It is fantastic to hear about organisations in my hon. Friend's community that, like many around the country, are acting at the grassroots to increase the number of defibrillators. Very soon, we will publish the criteria for the fund that I have just announced, opening it up for bids from organisations such as those, and I look forward to bids from them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked about specific collaboration with local volunteer organizations but the Minister did not provide detailed information on how this will be done. She mentioned criteria publication and welcoming bids without specifics.

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