London Ambulance Charity receives boost to install life-saving defibrillators in ‘defib deserts’

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) have got behind a life-saving charity campaign from the London Ambulance Service, donating 18 defibrillators for areas in the capital where they are needed most.

The London Heart Starters campaign was launched by the London Ambulance Charity with the aim of raising funds for hundreds of additional defibrillators – devices which send an electric shock to restart a heart when someone is in cardiac arrest. These life-saving devices will be installed in neighbourhoods where there is little or no access to a defibrillator, known as ‘defib deserts’.

Last year, London Ambulance Service responded to more than 12,200 cardiac arrests across the capital. Fewer than one in 10 patients survived. Early CPR and defibrillation could more than double someone’s changes of survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Some of the areas with the fewest defibrillators also have high levels of deprivation, and poorer health outcomes. The Heart Starters campaign aims to reduce these health inequalities.

Jess Burgess, Head of London Ambulance Charity, said:

“We are incredibly grateful that British Heart Foundation have generously donated these defibrillators and have joined us in our mission to save more lives.

“All Londoners deserve a fighting chance of surviving a cardiac arrest. The Heart Starters campaign will help bridge the gap in health inequalities across neighbourhoods in the capital and ensure that everyone has access to one of these life-saving devices.

“We also call on members of the public to join us in our mission – you could either take on a fundraising challenge for this great cause, or become a guardian in your local community to look after these defibs so they’re ready to save someone’s life.”

The BHF funds public access defibrillators in communities most in need through the Community Defibrillator Funding Programme, which aims to give more people a better chance of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

This year, there are 400 defibrillator packages available through the BHF’s Community Defibrillator Programme, and areas with the greatest need are being prioritised.

Sam Kennard, Community Defibrillator Manager at the BHF, said:

“Every defibrillator has the power to save a life and we are thrilled that we have been able to fund 18 defibrillators for the Heart Starters campaign.

“When someone has a cardiac arrest, every second counts. Timely CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival during a cardiac arrest which is why quick and easy access to a defibrillator is so crucial in all communities.

“Although we have made progress, there are still too many areas that lack the necessary access to a defibrillator. With this funding programme, more communities will now have access to a defibrillator that can save lives.”

In October last year, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan donated £150,000 to the Heart Starters campaign which has helped the London Ambulance Charity reach its target to install 200 defibrillators in the areas they are needed most.

And earlier last year, London Ambulance Charity was awarded £142,000 from NHS Charities Together to boost the pioneering campaign.

Transport for London has also donated defibrillators to London Ambulance Charity, which have now been installed in homeless shelters across the capital.

Londoners can also support fundraising efforts either by donating to the London Ambulance Charity, sponsoring a defibrillator, or by taking part in our fundraising events, such as the Big Stadium Abseil on 19 March. This adrenaline-pumped challenge invites thrill-seekers to scale 42 metres down Tottenham Hotspurs football stadium.