New data from London Ambulance Service reveals the 150 neighbourhoods across the capital in greatest need of life-saving defibrillators with deprived areas most likely to have poor access.
The analysis shows there are 21 neighbourhoods where there is no access to a defibrillator and 129 neighbourhoods where there is limited access.
While there are more than 9,400 publicly accessible defibrillators in London, the analysis shows that there are fewest in areas with the highest levels of deprivation and poorest health outcomes.
The data showed that one central London borough had six times more defibrillators than those in some poorer neighbourhoods.
London Ambulance Service chief executive Daniel Elkeles said: ‘Our new data is a sad reminder that some areas in London are ‘defib deserts’ – this means where you live or work could determine your chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.’
Between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023, London Ambulance Service responded to 12,948 patients in the capital who had a cardiac arrest. Of these, 4,613 patients had resuscitation attempted, with an overall survival of 7.8%.
Only 353 of these patients had a defibrillator applied by a member of the public before an ambulance crew arrived.
Consultant paramedic Mark Faulkner said: ‘Sadly, each minute of delay in resuscitation reduces chances of survival by around 22%, as brain tissue starts to die within minutes after the heart stops. But survival rates are over 50% if a defibrillator is used before paramedics arrive.’
If the survival rate in the capital were to double to 16%, 378 extra lives could be saved every year.
Mr Faulkner added: ‘We want Londoners, regardless of where they live, to have a fighting chance to survive a cardiac arrest.’
The publication of the data marks the start of a new fundraising campaign – London Heart Starters – to fund and maintain additional defibrillators in the 150 communities where they are needed most.
The London Heart Starters campaign is in addition to ongoing London Ambulance initiatives to improve cardiac arrest survival rates in London. This includes the London Lifesavers programme, which provides free CPR and defibrillator training.
Londoners are being urged to get involved in fundraising for more defibrillators, such as participating in fundraising walk the London Life Hike on Sunday 8 September or donating to the charity.
Jess Burgess, head of charity development at London Ambulance Charity, said that a public-access defibrillator and cabinet cost £1,600.
‘Every penny raised in this new campaign will go to funding this life-saving equipment in priority areas. The campaign will work with local communities to identify locations for the defibrillators, install the devices and provide training so people can confidently use them,’ she said.
