British Heart Foundation backs London Heart Starters campaign with 18 life-saving defibrillators
By Health Correspondent
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has pledged its support to a life-saving campaign led by London Ambulance Charity, donating 18 defibrillators to areas of the capital where they are needed most.
The London Heart Starters campaign was launched to raise funds for hundreds of additional defibrillators – vital devices that deliver an electric shock to restart the heart during a cardiac arrest.
These defibrillators will be installed in communities with little or no existing access, often referred to as ‘defib deserts’.
Last year, London Ambulance Service attended more than 12,200 cardiac arrests across the capital, with fewer than one in ten patients surviving. Early CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Many of the areas with the lowest access to defibrillators also experience higher levels of deprivation and poorer health outcomes.
The Heart Starters campaign aims to tackle these inequalities and ensure more Londoners have access to life-saving equipment.
Jess Burgess, Head of London Ambulance Charity, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to the British Heart Foundation for generously donating these defibrillators and joining us in our mission to save more lives.
“Every Londoner deserves a fighting chance of surviving a cardiac arrest. The Heart Starters campaign helps reduce health inequalities across the capital by making sure communities have access to these vital devices.
“We also encourage members of the public to get involved – whether by taking on a fundraising challenge or becoming a local guardian to help look after a defibrillator in their area.”
The BHF supports communities most in need through its Community Defibrillator Funding Programme, which aims to improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
This year, 400 defibrillator packages are available through the programme, with priority given to areas with the greatest need.
Sam Kennard, Community Defibrillator Manager at the BHF, said:
“Every defibrillator has the power to save a life, and we’re delighted to fund 18 defibrillators for the Heart Starters campaign.
“When someone has a cardiac arrest, every second counts. Quick access to CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival, which is why it’s so important that all communities can access a defibrillator.
“While progress has been made, too many areas still lack adequate coverage. This programme will help more communities gain access to equipment that can truly save lives.”
In October last year, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan donated £150,000 to the Heart Starters campaignwhich 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.
Josh Bell
Londoners can support the campaign by donating to London Ambulance Charity, sponsoring a defibrillator, or taking part in fundraising events such as the Big Stadium Abseil on 19 March, which challenges participants to descend 42 metres down Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
