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Defibrillators
02 September 2025
Lead MP
Sam Rushworth
Bishop Auckland
Lab
Responding Minister
Ashley Dalton
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Word Count: 13484
Other Contributors: 25
At a Glance
Sam Rushworth raised concerns about defibrillators in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Will the Government remove VAT on defibrillator purchases? What steps are being taken to ensure that the national defibrillator database is accurate, up to date and reflects actual availability?
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The national survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK is just 8%. In Bishop Auckland, 51% of postcodes are outside the recommended distance for timely access to a defibrillator. The community automated external defibrillator fund has been exhausted and all funds are allocated, with no plans for expansion.
Amanda Hack
Lab
North West Leicestershire
Called for public accessibility of defibrillators 24/7, pointed out that nearly half of postcodes in her constituency are not within easy reach of a defibrillator, and urged schools to register their devices.
Anna Sabine
LD
Frome and East Somerset
Highlighted the 10% decrease in survival rate per minute delay without defibrillation, emphasized the limited access in rural communities due to high costs including VAT on devices, and praised the work of local guardians maintaining defibrillators.
Connor Naismith
Lab
Crewe and Nantwich
Shared a story of a constituent who did not survive cardiac arrest due to non-functional defibrillators, highlighting the need for better regulation on maintenance; pointed out that 46.4% of postcodes in his constituency are out of direct reach of a defibrillator.
Danny Beales
Lab
Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Agreed with John Slinger about improving access to defibrillators and suggested making it cheaper for community groups, local government, and police forces to obtain these devices.
West Dunbartonshire
The Member agrees that this is a UK-wide issue but raises concerns about inequality in poorer communities, suggesting a VAT exemption and creating a criminal offence to protect defibs from vandalism.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Highlighted the importance of community groups supporting and fundraising for defibrillators, and inquired about the current processes to ensure maintenance and availability of defibrillators.
Johnson
Lab
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Discussed the national curriculum review and raised issues related to defibrillators and their accessibility.
Roz Savage
LD
South Cotswolds
She discussed the challenges faced by rural areas in accessing emergency medical services and shared a story of her constituent Sonya Harris, who survived a cardiac arrest thanks to nearby CPR and a defibrillator.
James Naish
Lab
Rushcliffe
Paid tribute to Dylan Rich, a Rushcliffe constituent who died at age 17 from cardiac arrest. Over 60% of his rural constituency is still not within a three-to-five-minute walk of a defibrillator despite the work done by previous Governments.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Supported VAT abolition on defibrillators and suggested tightening laws around their use. Highlighted the issue of ambulance services taking defibs away from remote areas due to centralised maternity care.
Chichester
Cardiovascular disease affects 7 million people in the UK, with poorer communities facing higher risks. She urged the removal of VAT on defibrillators and investment in technology to improve access. Addressed innovation within the NHS health check programme, advocating for digital transformation.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Discussed his private Member's Bill about public access to defibrillators and highlighted the importance of training in communities; asked for indications of discussions with the relevant Minister in Northern Ireland to move forward positively.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
The Member pays tribute to the debate's originator and discusses delays in ambulance response times and the struggle of rural communities to access lifesaving tools. They also highlight a village needing three more defibs and criticize local council for insufficient funding.
John Slinger
Con
Staffordshire Moorlands
Discussed the importance of publicly accessible defibrillators and highlighted the work of Naomi Rees-Issitt, who established the OurJay Foundation after her son's tragic death. Advocated for legal requirements to make AEDs available on premises. Agreed that more devices are needed in communities and supported Naomi Rees-Issitt's call for Jamie’s law to make defibrillators mandatory in police vehicles.
Lewis Cocking
Con
Broxbourne
He commended Hearts for Herts, a local charity that trains people in lifesaving skills and installs public access defibrillators across Hertfordshire. The charity aims to make all school defibrillators publicly accessible.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon and Consett
She shared a personal story of a cardiac arrest incident in her constituency, highlighting the importance of easily accessible defibrillators. She also mentioned that communities may struggle with maintaining defibrillators due to cost.
Luke Taylor
LD
Sutton and Cheam
Emphasized the importance of CPR training and highlighted the work of Clare Parish’s Paul Alan Project in providing training and installing defibrillators across communities.
Mary Kelly Foy
Lab
City of Durham
Thanked her colleague and neighbour, Sam Rushworth, for securing this important debate.
Wolverhampton North East
Reported that almost 70% of postcodes in her constituency are not within easy reach of a defibrillator; suggested reviewing VAT on defibrillators to widen access.
Patrick Hurley
Lab
Southport
The Member supports calls for VAT removal on defibrillators and commends the work of voluntary groups and charities in raising funds and awareness for these lifesaving devices.
Thanked all participants and highlighted the importance of not taxing defibrillators, ensuring they are accessible, preventing theft, maintaining working order, adding other medical devices, training more people, and addressing the propensity to act in emergency situations.
Shockat Adam
Ind
Leicester South
Revealed that a quarter of postcodes in his constituency are not within easy reach of a defibrillator. Every day, 80 to 90 people die from cardiac arrest outside the hospital setting; early access to a defibrillator can save lives and reduce NHS costs.
Susan Murray
LD
Mid Dunbartonshire
Over 60% of people in her constituency live in a 'defib desert.' She highlighted community efforts to install defibrillators and called for the Government to make them more accessible.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
Congratulated the work of Bournemouth Heart Club and local organizations that funded and installed defibrillators in their communities.
Torcuil Crichton
Lab
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Pays tribute to Ross Cowie of Portree for installing more than 1,000 public access defibrillators across rural Scotland. Highlights the importance of training people in their use and suggests that CPR should be taught compulsorily in schools.
Government Response
Ashley Dalton
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Government Response
I recognise the individuals who have been honoured by hon. Members, particularly Tom Sharples, Naomi Rees-Issitt, Dylan Rich and his family, and Andrew and Jeanette... We will continue to do all we can from Government to support those improvements and reduce variation in response times across the country.
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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.