The stark reality facing millions of people across England and Wales has been laid bare: a critical shortage of accessible defibrillators puts their lives at risk in the event of cardiac arrest. Over 16 million individuals live further than a 1km round trip from the nearest device available around the clock, significantly reducing their chances of survival.
The scale of this issue is alarming, with more than half (over 35 million people) not residing within walking distance – just three to five minutes' brisk walk – of any defibrillator. For those living over a 1km round trip from a 24/7 accessible device, the likelihood of survival plummets as every minute without intervention reduces chances by up to 10%.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests affect more than 40,000 people in the UK each year, with fewer than one in ten surviving. Yet research shows that prompt CPR and early defibrillation can nearly double a person's chance of survival – underscoring the urgency of addressing this shortage. The statistics are stark: patients who do not receive emergency treatment within 10 minutes (equivalent to a 1km round trip) are highly likely to succumb.
A concerning disparity in access was uncovered, with some areas experiencing significant inequalities. While nearly all residents in the City of London have defibrillators within a 10-minute round trip, over 70% of Harlow's population faces lengthy journeys to retrieve one. Conversely, an impressive 77% of Hartlepool residents are within the recommended three- to five-minute walking distance from a defibrillator.
Responding to these worrying findings, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has launched a community defibrillator campaign, offering 400 new devices to be installed across local areas. The BHF has pinpointed "defibrillator deserts" – areas with high population density and deprivation but long distances to a device – which include parts of London, Liverpool, Southampton, Nottingham, Wrexham, and Newport, alongside Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Pressure is mounting for government intervention to address the issue. Luke Taylor, Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton and Cheam, supporting the campaign, described the situation as "shocking" and called for VAT on defibrillators, pads, and batteries to be removed to make installation more affordable for communities – a measure that would help ensure these life-saving devices reach areas where they are most needed.