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Automated External Defibrillators: Public Access
18 November 2021
Lead MP
Jim Shannon
Strangford
DUP
Responding Minister
Maria Caulfield
Tags
NHSNorthern IrelandCulture, Media & Sport
Word Count: 13284
Other Contributors: 9
At a Glance
Jim Shannon raised concerns about automated external defibrillators: public access in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Mr Shannon asks the Government to support his Bill to ensure all buildings open to the public, including leisure centres, town centres, restaurants, and other venues, have AEDs available. He emphasizes that the cost of an AED is minimal compared to its potential to save lives, urging for legislation to mandate their installation in all necessary locations.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Mr Jim Shannon is concerned about the limited availability of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces across the UK. He cites specific incidents, such as a man saved during a football match and another at a school, to illustrate the life-saving potential of AEDs. Shannon notes that while many schools already have defibrillators, broader community access remains insufficient. He highlights international examples like Italy, France, and Singapore where public spaces are required to provide AED access.
Aaron Bell
Con
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Aaron Bell highlighted the tragic death of Sam Benson, a teaching assistant who died after suffering a heart attack at Ravensmead Primary School. He emphasized the importance of readily available defibrillators and mentioned that despite quick response from colleagues to retrieve one from a nearby pub, it took several minutes due to lack of access codes. The chance of successful defibrillation decreases by 23% for each minute that passes according to a study. Bell also discussed fundraising efforts to install a defibrillator at the school in Sam's memory and advocated for mandatory installation in all schools. He praised the work of Cardiac Risk in the Young charity, which aims to provide heart screening to young people.
Alex Norris
Lab Co-op
Nottingham North and Kimberley
Alex Norris highlighted the cross-party support for action on AEDs, citing examples like Christian Eriksen's cardiac arrest case. He mentioned the need for CPR education in schools and emphasised that poorer communities face worse outcomes. He also stressed the importance of knowing where defibrillators are located and called for more widespread deployment to increase survival rates.
Graham Stuart
Con
Beverley and Holderness
Shared his experience establishing a campaign for community access to defibrillators in East Yorkshire, highlighting efforts that reduced areas without defibrillators from over 60 to fewer than 20. He emphasised the importance of mapping out where defibrillators are needed and improving awareness and confidence in their use.
Margaret Ferrier
SNP
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Councillor Mo Razzaq has installed a community defibrillator outside Strachan Craft Butchers in Blantyre. Margaret Ferrier questions the hon. Gentleman on whether locally elected representatives can be instrumental to the cause of improving AED provision. Margaret Ferrier points out that cardiac arrest survival chances decrease by 20% per minute, emphasizing the need for prioritised AED provision in rural areas with longer ambulance response times.
Paul Howell
Con
Sedgefield
Mr Howell emphasised the critical importance of access to AEDs, citing examples like the cardiac arrest incidents at Euro 2020 and a similar event in Newcastle. He highlighted that nearly 300 school children die annually from sudden cardiac arrests and called for public buildings such as schools and libraries to have AEDs readily available. Mr Howell stressed the need for community access to defibrillators, especially in rural areas where emergency response times are longer. He advocated for legislative changes through the AED Bill and urged the Department for Education to push for new school builds with AEDs included. Clarified that a defibrillator will not function if used incorrectly.
Pauline Latham
Con
Mid Derbyshire
Pauline Latham argues that AEDs should be placed outside public buildings and accessible 24 hours a day, and suggests an hour's CPR training for every child in school annually to save lives.
Richard Thomson
SNP
Dunfermline and West Fife
Mr Thomson highlighted the importance of public defibrillators in saving lives during cardiac arrests. He noted that only one in ten people who experience a cardiac arrest survive, and stressed the need for increased coverage of automated external defibrillators across the country combined with CPR knowledge. He mentioned examples such as the case involving Christian Eriksen and Finlay Richardson to illustrate the positive impact of prompt intervention using AEDs.
Rob Roberts
Lab
Caerphilly
Emphasised the importance of greater access to defibrillators in local communities and highlighted the need for public awareness and training. Mentioned the case of Janene Maguire, which led to the inclusion of CPR and defib skills in the Welsh curriculum. Proposed a comprehensive UK-wide database on an app with locations and usage instructions for all defibs. Asked whether the Department of Health and Social Care could work with broadcasters to raise awareness about defibrillators, similar to how the Pensions Minister works on pension credit campaigns.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Glasgow South West
Mr McDonald highlighted the importance of early defibrillation in increasing survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, noting that only a small percentage of such cases receive bystander defibrillation. He advocated for improving accessibility and awareness of defibrillators through initiatives like The Circuit and drawing examples from successful models abroad such as Denmark's Heartrunner app.
Government Response
Maria Caulfield
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hollobone. I thank the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) for securing this debate, and also for his passion and dedication in championing this cause. The minister highlights that twelve young people a week die from sudden cardiac arrest, with 30,000 cardiac arrests annually, emphasizing the significance of defibrillators. She notes the NHS Long Term Plan's commitment to developing a national network of first responders and access to automated external defibrillators by 2028, aiming to save around 4,000 lives yearly. The Circuit, a national network providing evidence of where defibs are in all communities, is live across ten ambulance services, covering Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Currently, 33,237 defibrillators are registered with eight live ambulance services in England. She encourages the registration of all defibrillators to ensure a live register for management and upkeep. The minister also mentions initiatives such as the GoodSAM app and CPR training in schools, noting that since May 2019, new and refurbished schools have been required to install at least one defib. Sport England is working with the Football Foundation to provide £3 million for grassroots football clubs' defibs. She reassures hon. Members of the government's commitment to improve healthcare outcomes for those who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.